Pat Buckley wants to include parents in teenagers' education about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, and the importance of making good choices.

Pat who founded Amped4life in 2002, says parents are missing out because we live in such a 'pc world'.

Amped4life managing director Pat Buckley is hosting a seminar in Papamoa to educate adults about teen abuse of alcohol and drugs.

Papamoa College's Parents and Friends group has joined forces with Pat in his programme that will educate both teens and parents about the decisions young people are facing today.

So far, the programme has targeted only college aged students but has been adapted to be made available for parents as well.

Pat says the bottom line is that people shape their future by their choices, both positive and negative.

'(We need to) encourage our young people to take ownership of their own lives.”

He says teenagers need to be wise about their decisions and it is important that they are warned about the potential dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

'We need to help them (parents) understand all tell-tale signs of drug and alcohol abuse.”

Speaking from a lifetime of experience, Pat has witnessed 53 friends, as of March 2012, die prematurely through drug, alcohol and substance abuse.

Two of the 53 friends Pat has lost include his girlfriend and best friend, who were killed on the same day in a motorcycle crash.

The pair died in a crash after they had been drinking at a pub for several hours. Pat's best friend veered across the road's centre line and was killed instantly.

Pat's girlfriend died in her sister's arms.

Pat says the first mistake they made was that they had got behind the wheel while intoxicated.

He says the second mistake was that the pair had removed their crash helmets.

This year Pat has spoken to more than 15,000 people bringing credible and powerful examples from his experience, giving implications of bad decisions to those making them and those affected by them.

The two hour programme on September 19 is open to everyone who wants to attend.

The evening is on from 7-9pm in the Theatre, 151 Doncaster Drive, Papamoa. Tickets cost $5 each with proceeds going towards programmes to support youth at risk.

Tickets can be purchased directly from the college reception.

Visit the college website for more details: www.papamoacollege.school.nz