Pubdate: Mon, 30 Dec 2002
Source: Whitehorse Star (CN YK)
Copyright: 2002 Whitehorse Star
Contact:  http://www.whitehorsestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1493
Author: Stephanie Waddell

YOUTH OFFERED OPTIONS TO DRUGS

For a month and a half, Anne Aram has been trying to improve her pool 
skills and come up with some fun activities for the young people who hang 
out at the Whitehorse Youth Centre.

The centre's new executive director said in a recent interview she wants to 
offer the city's youth an alternative to drugs and alcohol.

One of the latest initiatives was the Beat the Heat pool tournament between 
the Whitehorse RCMP and youth at the centre. Aram proudly pointed out that 
the youth beat the police in the tournament. It's something she hopes to do 
every month in an attempt to alleviate some of the differences between the 
youth and police.

Even some youth who haven't been through the justice system have some 
negative perceptions about police.

Pool seems to be one of the most popular activities at the centre. While 
Aram's skills have been improving, it's the youth who seem to have most of 
the talent.

Those between the ages of 13 and 18 can drop into the centre on Fourth 
Avenue through the week and on Saturdays. And while they can just hang out, 
they can also take part in the nightly activities.

For example, one night of the week is a craft night. There are also trips 
to places like the Takhini Hot Springs, the pool hall at the Porter Creek 
Centre, or the movies.

A recent trip to the Dairy Queen with the youth to discuss what the youth 
want to do generated two pages of plans. "They were really excited," Aram said.

There's also a meal cooked each night for youth who come in, and a washer 
and dryer are available for those with laundry to do. Describing her work, 
Aram noted: "It's so much fun."

Before moving to the territory, she worked at a drop-in centre in Vancouver 
for those between 13 and 24 for six years. "We saw it all," she said.

That work focused largely on helping young people with drug and alcohol 
problems. The centre was for youth where abstinence was not an option at 
that time. It was very focused on harm reduction, she said.

After six years there, Aram wanted to do something different, but at the 
same time, continue to work with youth. That brought her north as the 
Whitehorse Youth Centre's executive director after a trip here earlier this 
year.

While there are certain things youth across the country tend to experience 
and have to deal with, in the Yukon, the issue of residential schools and 
their effects continue to be an issue.

Aram noted it's difficult enough to be a teenager when you're from a 
"regular" home; it's even harder when there are problems at home that add 
to it.

One thing that's become apparent to Aram in the past six week is that there 
is a need for some sort of preteen programming as a number of youth under 
13 want to go to the youth centre.

To do that though, the centre would have to keep the two groups separate, 
Aram said.

A preteen program would probably be aimed at nine-to 12-year-olds.

The youth centre is open Monday to Thursday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 
from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom