Parents ‘must open up’

LEADING child psychologists have urged parents to regularly speak with their children about values in the wake of coffee king Kenton Campbell opening up about nearly losing his son in a mass drug overdose four months ago.

The 48-year-old Gold Coast owner of Zarraffa’s spoke publicly for the first time yesterday about nearly losing his 15-yearold son, who was one of seven Saint Stephen’s College students who overdosed on the Russian designer drug phenibut, a banned relaxant.

Leading child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg praised Mr Campbell for creating a “teachable moment”, allowing parents to discuss their attitudes, values and beliefs about drugs with their children.

He said teenagers would always be susceptible to risk-taking behaviour.

“A major characteristic of an adolescent’s brain is an inability to predict consequences of their actions,” Dr CarrGregg said.

“The fact is accidents do happen and the proportion to whom accidents do happen is disproportionately to teenagers because they’re all neurological accelerator and not a lot of brake.”

But he told parents to have regular traditions, rituals and routines so they could communicate with their children about any possible risks they could be taking.

“The more open your communication is and the more you make them feel that you are an adult who makes them feel safe, valued and listened to, then the better you’re going to be and the more you’re going to reduce the chances of accidents,” Dr Carr-Gregg said.

While Mr Campbell said parents “have a right to get on their phone and their computer”, Dr Carr-Gregg said parents should only do so if trust had been broken.

“In general, we have to have a relationship based on trust,” he said.

“If the child has shown that they are untrustworthy then absolutely, you have the right to do that.

“If you have a kid who has always made the right choices, you don’t need to go through their stuff.”

University of Queensland School of Psychology Associate Professor Judith Murray said parents should explain the decisions they made to their children.

“Open communication and recognising that it’s OK to make a mistake is important,” Assoc Prof Murray said.

“Verbalise your thought processes, explain that this is why I’ve come to this decision.”

Gold Coast Bulletin reader Aleesha Thomas praised Mr Campbell’s candour: “A truly beautiful read. Thank you for sharing. It just goes to show everyone is fighting their own battles, and mostly silent ones, but their strength and determination is so uplifting. We all can do it by being positive and helping others, being supportive, listening and working hard at being our best.’’

Toni Hardy added: “I’ve said it before, lucky the boys were at school and the fantastic teachers actually noticed … such a strong person.”