Across the country, over 65,000 Leaving Cert students are receiving their results on Friday, with 437,710 individual exam results expected to be issued. Over 1,024 of these Leaving Cert students are from Laois schools.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has urged parents of Leaving Cert students to ‘sit down and plan’ celebrations with their teens, to avoid the use of drugs and minimise alcohol intake.

Laois Leaving Cert students are advised to ‘make the right choices’ ahead of celebrations this weekend. 

Pictured: Over 65,000 Leaving Cert students receive results today. Pictured: File photo

The HSE is advising parents to have a brief, focused conversation about drug and alcohol use with young people prior to their exam celebrations. Should alcohol play a part in their celebrations the HSE is advising to plan ahead, keep track of and minimise alcohol intake, keep safe and avoid drugs. 

“Firstly we want to wish every student the best ahead of receiving their results, and we congratulate them on what is a huge achievement,” said Emer Loughrey, Senior Addiction Counsellor, HSE. 

“Prior to any celebrations, we are asking parents to be mindful and to plan ahead with young people. This can involve having conversations around staying safe, and the risks of consuming alcohol and drugs. In addition, if there is travel involved, be available for drop-offs and pick-ups or make alternative travel arrangements.” 

The HSE has shared tips with parents and students to encourage safe celebrations: 

Know the plan: find out where they are going and who with. Ask them to make sure their phone is fully charged so that they can contact family, friends, or emergency services if something happens. 

Making choices: remember it’s illegal for under 18s to drink alcohol and young brains continue to develop until about the age of 25. It’s best to avoid alcohol for as long as possible. Don’t supply alcohol to anyone under 18, in your home or anywhere else.

If choosing to drink alcohol, advise them not to drink on an empty stomach, take extra care with home-made drinks that can be a lot stronger, pick lower strength drinks, and stay hydrated by having non-alcohol or soft drinks or water for every second drink.

Remind them that mixing alcohol and drugs, including prescription medicine, can have unpredictable or dangerous effects. 

Look after your friends: talking about other people helps young people to be aware of their own safety too. Tell them to never leave a party alone or let their friends go home alone. Ideally, they should try stay in groups of 3 or more. 

Make a plan for getting home safely: make yourself available for drop-offs or pick-ups. Warn them not to drive after taking drink or drugs and to never take a lift from someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Be aware of the dangers of walking home or cycling under the influence, especially on poorly lit roads.

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