Pubdate: Wed, 21 Nov 2001
Source: Parry Sound North Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001, Parry Sound North Star
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/1618
Website: http://www.parrysound.com
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

HEALTH UNITS KICK OFF DRUG AWARENESS WEEK

PARRY SOUND -- This year's Drug Awareness Week runs November 19-24. During 
this week the RISK Project of Muskoka-Parry Sound, the Muskoka-Parry Sound 
Health Unit, and a number of community partners are taking part in 
activities to inform people about how to reduce the risk of alcohol-related 
problems and injuries.

In Muskoka, Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) groups at 
Huntsville and Gravenhurst High Schools are delivering anti-impaired 
driving messages to fellow students through displays and other inter-active 
activities. At Almaguin Highlands Secondary School in East Parry Sound, 
OSAID is sponsoring a guest speaker who will talk at a school assembly 
about decision-making and impaired driving.

Several local cable stations are running a 20-minute video called "For the 
Record" during their community programming hour. This video, produced by 
the Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership and PAD Drug Education and Support 
Services, is the story of a group of young adults at an after-grad party 
and their reaction to one of their friends who ends up with alcohol 
poisoning. This video is geared to young adults and raises the serious 
issues of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning.

During Drug Awareness Week, RISK is distributing its second issue of 
"Health Wise", a free newsletter for older adults that deals with 
prescription medication and alcohol use. This topic of this issue is the 
use of herbal remedies. "Health Wise" comes out three times a year and is 
distributed throughout Muskoka-Parry Sound to seniors' clubs, retirement 
homes, libraries, pharmacies and hospitals. Drug Awareness Week will also 
see the launch of a media campaign that runs through until the middle of 
December. The campaign consists of newspaper and radio ads and press 
releases that provide useful information about the ways to reduce the risk 
of injury or harm from drinking alcohol.

RISK is a substance abuse and injury prevention program funded by the 
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Muskoka-Parry Sound 
Health Unit and community partners. Using the slogan "Reduce It", RISK's 
goal is to reduce the problems and injuries associated with alcohol and 
other drug use in Muskoka-Parry Sound. Drug Awareness Week is just one of 
the many initiatives and activities undertaken by RISK. For more 
information contact Megan Williams at the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit, 
789-8813.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jackl