Rhonda Parker

Rhonda Parker

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    Launch of brochures in Vietnamese to help families deal with problems of drug abuse

    17/09/1999 3:03 PM
     
    17/9/99


      Three brochures in Vietnamese to help parents and teenagers deal with the problem of drug abuse have been launched today by the Minister Responsible for Western Australian Drug Abuse Strategy, Rhonda Parker.

      The books, titled How Parents Can Help, Information for Parents on Illicit Drugs and Teenagers and Drug Use, contain information on the types of illicit drugs, how to discuss drug abuse with teenagers, warning signs of drug abuse and who to contact for help.

      “A consultation across all sections of the community by the WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office found that many parents coping with teenage drug use issues felt they lacked information and adequate support,” Mrs Parker said.

      Mrs Parker said parents often felt isolated and disempowered.

      “These feelings are even more marked if parents have limited English language skills and have difficulty understanding the information available to them or in accessing specialist services for assistance,” she said.

      “The pamphlets were developed after a study recommended that the Vietnamese community required material in its own language on issues such as illicit drugs.

      “As no appropriate material was available from interstate, these pamphlets were adapted and translated from material already available in English in WA.

      “The project was done in close consultation with a reference group from the Vietnamese community and the pamphlets were developed after market testing in the community,” the Minister said.

      The pamphlets will be distributed through:
        • Vietnamese general practitioners and pharmacists;
        • Vietnamese community settlement service officers;
        • migrant resource centres;
        • Schools in the Girrawheen, Mirrabooka and Marangaroo areas;
        • Vietnamese health workers; and -
        • Vietnamese professionals in the welfare field.

      Mrs Parker said it was proposed to translate the material into other languages. Vietnamese was chosen as the first language group as it was one of the most recently arrived ethnic groups.

      The pamphlets are available from WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office on 9483 8244.

      Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810