 Would YOU know how to broach the subject with your teenager? With the summer holidays and music festival season upon us, those lazy days and long nights provide ample temptation for teenagers to experiment with drugs. How should parents handle the subject? It's every parent's nightmare - a child taking serious drugs. This is an issue that grandmother Tina Williams knows only too well. Her son's battle against heroin addiction led to the Stockton mum setting up PANIC - Parents and Addicts Against Narcotics in the Community - in 1999 with another mum Marilyn Surtees. More than a third of UK 15-year-olds have taken an illegal drug in the last year - and one in 25 has used a Class A drug such as heroin or cocaine. Yet Government research shows parents feel they know little or nothing about drugs and are unsure about how to talk to their children about the potential dangers of using. "Lots of parents worry that their children will know more than them," says Darren Hall, a government advisor on drugs and a spokesman for the Talk to Frank camp. Tina, 54, agrees that the majority of parents don't know how to broach the topic with their children. "And often parents don't know what to look for," says Tina. "Many symptoms of drug-taking are similar to puberty - mood swings, isolation, spending all their time in their bedrooms. "Parents first off need to get some advice on substances and what drugs to look out for and their effects. "I hadn't a clue about drugs. If I knew then what I know now I would have spotted the signs in my own son. "He started using drugs after he left home and he was in his early twenties but I would know what to look for now." Tina advises parents to contact the PANIC helpline if they need information about drugs or how to talk to teenagers about them. "If parents find things in their kids' bedrooms that look like they're linked to drugs we can help by telling them what they are and how they're used," says Tina. "When talking to their children about drugs it needs to be done in a quiet and calm way. Give them information on the dangers of drugs and how to say no if they're offered them by friends. "I say to kids that it's good to say no. Don't follow the crowd, be different, be proud to be different." One consoling statistic is that although 31pc of those aged between 16 and 59 have used illegal drugs, two-thirds of them are no longer doing so. If you can be open and supportive of your children, they stand a better chance of staying off or getting off drugs this summer. * Panic's free helpline number is 0800 052 2050. So how do Teesside parents raise the subject of drugs with their children? Sharon Dale, from Yarm, has two children, Ashley, 18, and Matthew, 15. The 46-year-old childminder says: "A lot of it hangs on how sensible they are. "I have never sat them down and told them not to do drugs. "But we talk about them when the issue comes up, say if a film is on or we're watching a TV programme together like Hollyoaks. "I do think that teenagers know more about drugs than most adults. Both of my children have had talks in school and Ashley has had talks about them in college too." Sharon feels it's important to talk about drugs within family chats. She has also shared her experiences of smoking with them. "I used to smoke before my children were born but I gave up as soon as I got pregnant. I gave up for health reasons and the fact I didn't want to smoke in front of my children," says Sharon. "We've had a few chats about smoking, alcohol and other drugs. I know they've tried smoking which I think is something most kids do. One of the things I say to them when we talk about all kinds of drugs is how addictive they are. "I let them try alcohol at home but they know only a small amount is allowed and I do warn them about the dangers of excess and now my daughter is going to clubs I've warned her about drink-spiking. "But they are very aware. Parenting is much harder when they become teenagers, all my friends agree. "When they're toddlers you teach them not to talk to strangers and when they're teenagers you teach them not to take drugs. "But at the end of the day you can't wrap them in cotton wool. You've just got to tell them the facts and hope they're sensible enough to say no to drugs." Don't be scared to open up Children will put off or avoid taking drugs if they feel they can talk to their parents, according to current research. Talking to children about drugs is difficult but worth it - especially at this time of year when young people are preparing to venture off to music festivals, where temptation could grip them. FRANK spokesman Darren Hall says: "The summer festivals provide the perfect excuse to chill out and have fun with mates and enjoy freedom from home. "However, when the events stretch throughout the day and night, it's easy to overdo the partying. "There's no doubt there's a huge element of drug-taking at festivals, and a lot of teenagers first experiment when they're with their friends. "Some will try it because they're a bit drunk, other regular drug users will go over the top because they're at a festival." His advice to parents: * It's always far better to have a conversation about drugs before a problem comes up. Use a talking point in the media to ask your children: "What do you think about drugs?" * It can be hard to tell if your teenager has a serious drugs problem because apparent signs of addiction can be the usual teenage troubles. In extreme cases it will be obvious. The Talk to Frank website advises parents to look out for the leftovers of drug use: Spoons discoloured from heating; tin foil; pill boxes; tiny bits of clear food wrap; sugar lumps; syringes or needles; cigarette papers, lighters, cigarette ends made of card; butane gas canisters; shredded cigarettes; pipes; small stickers or transfers; small bottles. * You know your child best so you should notice any changes in their behaviour. Becoming obviously withdrawn and suffering from mood swings is a good indicator. Asking for money without a legitimate reason, a sudden new set of friends, going out to places they didn't go a couple of months ago - if you notice these things you may want to have a chat with them. * There are several golden rules to talking about it, particularly if you suspect your child already has a problem. Firstly prepare. Think through what you think about drugs beforehand - do you make a distinction between cannabis and heroin? Find information about drugs yourself. Secondly stay calm and don't put pressure on your child. Coming on too strong will only bring an end to the conversation. Thirdly be supportive. One of the best things a child can know is that they have a supportive environment. * Don't panic. If you're sure there's a problem and your child refuses to talk to you, try not to panic. Get information leaflets and phone numbers for them. * The Talk to Frank helpline is 0800 776600 and the website is www.talktofrank.com * Adfam provides support to families of those with addiction problems and its website is www.adfam.org.uk | 
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