Pubdate: Wed, 02 Mar 2005 Source: Daily Press, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 Daily Press (CN ON) Contact: http://www.timminspress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1001 Author: Heather Spadafore Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) MARCH 23 FORUM WILL TARGET TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE Teen Substance Abuse Will Be The Topic Of Discussion During The Pamela Fralick Forum In March. The forum, coming to Timmins March 23, is geared toward parents and service providers and hopes to share knowledge of how to prevent or intervene when it comes to substance use amongst adolescents. The event, sponsored by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), is being held in partnership with the Porcupine Health Unit and South Cochrane Addictions Services. "We're expecting about 100 people," Timmins' CAMH project consultant Sylvie Guenther said. "We'll be offering advice, information, and will be answering questions." The Pamela Fralick forum is an annual event that travels to a different city each year, Guenther said. "We put in a request to have it in Timmins," she said. "It's important to have the information in the North because substance abuse is an issue." Though it wasn't specifically planned following the drug deaths of two local teens last year, Guenther said the forum just happened to tie in to the event. Porcupine Health Unit Community health nurse Alison Dubien said the forum is a follow-up to the Debbie Gillies drug seminars that took place in schools throughout the area late last fall. Parents and service providers will hear from speakers David Wolfe, RBC Investments chair in Children's Mental Health and Developmental Psychopathology. He is the director of the Centre for Prevention Science CAMH. Also speaking will be Yvonne McClinchey from the South Cochrane Addiction Services Timmins, as well as Guenther. There will also be a 45-minute question period following the presentations, and Guenther hopes participants will get involved. "We're hoping it'll generate lively discussion," she said. Information has already been circulating through local newspapers, schools and community calendars. "We want everyone to know about it," Guenther said. Booths will also be set up during the evening by local service providers, such as Child and Family Services, Community Policing, Timmins branch of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Porcupine Health Unit. "We have eight or nine booths booked," Dubien said. "I'm hoping people will gain practical advice on how to talk with teens about substance use, and how to work with them," Guenther said. The forum will be held at the Days Inn from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Registration is free. For more information, call the Porcupine Health Unit at 267-1181 ext. 367. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom