Vol.2 Issue: 3 - ABCD-Parenting Adolescents Program

The ABCD parenting adolescents program is a preventative program for parents of young adolescents aged between 12 and 14 years or currently in Years 7 or 8 at secondary school. While it is based on solid research about the factors that assist in protecting young people from becoming involved in problematic drug use it is not specifically a drug education program for parents. Rather it is a generic parenting program aimed at increasing the frequency of positive, healthy interactions within families and reducing negative interactions.

It aims to provide parents with information, skills and strategies for developing and maintaining trusting, positive and accepting relationships with their young adolescents; relationships that encourage appropriate testing of independence rather than engaging in high risk activities such as drug misuse. Parents are supported throughout the program to identify what works for their own family, culture, background and experiences.

The ABCD will be running two four-session programs, the ABCD and the ABCD Plus. The ABCD Plus is offered to parents after completing the first ABCD for further support and information. A number of coordinators based in various agencies across Victoria have advertised programs in their local areas through schools, community houses and newspapers.

The ABCD program is also being offered in five languages; Arabic speaking, Spanish, Vietnamese, Macedonian and Turkish. For more information about these programs please contact Victor Tasmakis at Moreland hall on 9384 8816.

This program is funded by the National Illicit Drug strategy through the Victorian Department of Human Services. The programs were developed by the Victorian Parenting Centre and are managed by Uniting Care Moreland Hall.

Both Judy Cain and Rose Vu have undertaken the training to facilitate the ABCD program. Judy to provide programs in the Western Metropolitan area under the coordination of Melbourne City Mission and Rose to offer programs across Melbourne for Vietnamese speaking parents.