A former resident has published a book to educate youth about the impact of illicit drugs.
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After 30 years as a counsellor and community welfare worker, Lynn Field has become an author.
She said she was inspired by the way Dr Seuss books approach issues and young people.
She said her book ‘What Are Drugs?: A parents doorway to a difficult topic’ addressed the lack of education aimed at children between five and 12.
“I wanted the book to be informational, educational but not scary,” Ms Field said.
The book explains the difference between prescribed legal drugs and illegal drugs.
“I didn’t want to say no to drugs totally, because when you go to the doctor they give you antibiotics – they’re drugs.
Ms Field said the approach “don’t take drugs” needs to be clarified.
“I have a seven-year-old grandson, so I tested the theory on him. I said, ‘if I said no to drugs would you take medicine?’ and of course he said no.”
She said book could be used by parents as a tool to help them them educate their children.
“Not just here but kids everywhere are using drugs as early as six to eight,” Ms Field said.
“There are a lot of young people being used in the drug trade without really knowing what they are doing.
“They are used to avoid charges, but then they become part of the system.
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Ms Field said she was motivated to create change across generations.
“If I could stop one child from becoming involved with drugs, I can impact three generations,” Ms Fields said.
She said her aim was to stop at least “one child from using, one child from ending up with a drug induced psychosis, one child from being removed from their home because of drugs.”
“Hopefully this book makes a kid involved with drugs to the drug trade think twice, or if their families involved, it may give them strategies to deal with this,” Ms Field said.
She said the cycle of drug use and involvement in drug trade was a “national disaster”.
“We’ve got more people wanting to get off it, more people selling than ever, its so accessible, add to that the mental health issues and everything else that goes with drugs.”
The book can be ordered at local bookstores, online at xlibrius.com.au or by calling 0413 294 801.
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