Paul Dillon

Introducing the DARTA Digital Cards app. These digital cards cover looking after a drunk friend, alcohol poisoning, vomiting & more. Your teen can download the app onto their phone providing basic info they can easily access when they're out with friends: darta.net.au/digital-cards/

Excited to present with Maggie Dent, @queenofcommonse & Madhavi Nawana Parker @positivemindsau, at an event organised by Catholic School Parents SA. Click below for details & tickets ... events.humanitix.com/stronger-famil…

This was so much fun to do and it went 'live' this morning - the new episode of Parental As Anything Teens! I was interviewed on the topic of 'Is it ok to let my teen drink?' Take a listen if you have teens of your own ...abc.net.au/listen/program…

Another day, another 2 schools contacting me about finding students using Zyn. This Wall Street Journal video looks at the rise of Zyn in recent years & discusses the growing number of 'Zynfluencers'. It's a balanced piece & well worth a look ... youtube.com/watch?v=uNpLRi…

Should parents provide zero-alcohol drinks to teens to take to parties? Find out why researchers from Flinders Uni advise precaution & recommend parents steer clear of providing these drinks to their teens based on their survey of 1100 Australian parents. intouchpublichealth.net.au/proceed-with-c…

If there'd been a drug-related death at a music festival this weekend there'd be a huge national media response. Very little coverage of a 'mass overdose' situation involving 7 women in their 40s, incl death of one aged 43, in a Gold Coast hotel room abc.net.au/news/2024-03-3…

I recently met a Yr 12 with hallucinogenic persistent perception disorder (HPPD). He'd taken LSD & now lived with constant 'visual snow' - so debilitating. This ABC article by @blackwood_fiona provides great insight on this complex & controversial issue. abc.net.au/news/2024-03-3…

No 1 question I'm being asked by YP is about 'Zyn' - brand of synthetic nicotine pouches. Placed between gum & upper lip delivering 'nicotine hit' - looks like piece of chewie so difficult for teachers to identify. Relatively cheap & easy to access online abc.net.au/news/2024-03-1…

What's the law around providing alcohol at teen parties? This news.com article covers the law, highlighting potential civil suits & insurance issues should something go wrong. Worth a read if you're considering hosting a teen party. news.com.au/finance/can-i-…

I heard from 4 teens this weekend about ZYNs (nicotine pouches) - wanting to know risks. I've also heard from parents who'd had teens ask if they could use them to help quit vaping. This article is worth a read if you know nothing about this product. theguardian.com/australia-news…

I was interviewed about teens & vaping for Nightlife on ABC Radio a few weeks ago and here's the link if you're interested in having a listen. I'd just found out the 2022/2023 ASSAD survey on smoking & vaping was released so I talk about those findings. abc.net.au/listen/program…

2022-2023 ASSAD survey now available. More parents providing alcohol to children - 47% current drinkers said parent/s provided them their last drink - up from 32% in 2011. Parental provision is not protective but that message is not getting through! health.gov.au/resources/coll…

This is a great article I was interviewed for around parents, alcohol & role modelling. There's no 'parent shaming' here just what we know about the impact of parental drinking on children & some useful tips around better role modelling. Well worth a read! abc.net.au/everyday/role-…

'Bans' never work & these 'one-use' devices should've been dealt with years ago. Those flaunting the law will simply end up making more money by charging more. A crackdown on selling them to teens is vital - laws are there, they're simply not enforced. abc.net.au/news/2023-11-2…

‘Grounding’ is often used but not always effective. Do you want to ‘punish’ your teen or have them learn something as a result of the consequences you impose? How can parents ensure the ‘time suits the crime’ if teens break rules around alcohol & parties? darta.net.au/doing-drugs-wi…

I'm getting messages from YP worried about driving, Schoolies & RBT. This blog has been written about all things RBT & being breathalyzed so that parents can share it with their teens. Have the conversation today ... darta.net.au/doing-drugs-wi…

It’s been our pleasure to host the 12th International Club Health conference over the past 3 days! Thanks to all our supporters & attendees! Watch this space 4 further outputs from the conference & news of future events @ClubHconference @MerseysideVrp @ZaraQuigg @LJMUImpact #ch23

Just got back from very quick trip to UK to present at Club Health 2023. Delegates from across the world loved 'It's water time!' - many asking whether they could share message in their country. So happy that others could see the benefits of such a simple message! #CH23😀

I'm being interviewed for an ABC TV News story on teen drinking & how parents navigate this issue. They're looking for parents prepared to talk on camera about their experiences (ideally with their teens). If you’re interested, Fiona's the contact - blackwood.fiona@abc.net.au.

This Matilda Centre survey found 26% of Australians aged 14-17 have vaped, up from 10% in a previous study. It provides data on 'current regular use' - 5.7% vaping in past 30 days & at least weekly. Many vaping to relieve anxiety ... abc.net.au/news/2023-09-1…