How can I begin to talk to my children about drugs?

The sooner you start, the better. But you may need to be subtle and patient. For ways of improving communication with your children, see "Getting on their wavelength". These are just a few ideas:

There’s no one best way
We are all different. Different children need different approaches. You wouldn’t use a Phillips screwdriver on a flat-head screw, or vice versa. It’s the same when you talk with your children. What works for your son may not be the right approach for your daughter. Do you really know each child well enough? Do you know what motivates them, what worries them? If there are two parents, try discussing things together to agree the best approach first. Usually though, gently does it. Lots of research shows the benefits of just spending time with your children, showing them you appreciate that they’re young adults with their own views (no matter how wrong you might think they are) who appreciate being taken seriously.

Ideas for broaching the subject of drugs
Read a quality newspaper to find out what’s happening in the world. Discuss articles you find there or on the television or radio. Get involved with a voluntary group, and discuss the work with your children. Spend time with your children so that they get used to you discussing things with them (not just about drugs). Make time to just be with them, watching their favourite programmes with them, for example. Alert younger children to the dangers of medicines or potentially harmful products in the home. Bring them up to understand the dangers of various substances. See "Drugs in the home". Perhaps you can talk openly about your own drug use. This might be illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol or tobacco.