Pubdate: Thu, 06 Nov 2008
Source: Lloydminster Source (CN SN)
Page: Front
Copyright: 2008 Lloydminster Source
Contact:  http://www.lloydminstersource.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4856
Author: Katie Ryan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PREVENTING YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Substance abuse is a key concern for the community of Lloydminster, 
particularly youth substance abuse.

With over a third of Lloydminster residents saying the issue of youth 
substance abuse is becoming worse and 75 per cent of the community 
believing schools in the city are not drug free, according the 
Lloydminster Area Drug Strategy (LADSAC) released last month, the new 
prevention program - Kids and Drugs- a parent's guide to prevention - 
couldn't have come at a better time.

"My hope is that it becomes sustainable within the community and that 
it's something that we can carry forward," said LADSAC coordinator 
Teressa Krueckl of the new program.

Jointly developed by Alberta Health Services (AHS), Alberta Alcohol 
and Drug Abuse Commission's (AADAC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted 
Police (RCMP), the new program will act as a tool for parents and 
guardians, providing them with new strategies to prevent their 
school-age children from abusing alcohol and other drugs.

Representing LADSAC, Krueckl was among the 60 drug coalitions from 
across the province to attend the Alberta Drug Strategy Coalitions 
Connect conference recently, where the program was unveiled.

"Not just in our community, but clear across Canada, a lot of the 
focus is coming back on our youth, whether it's youth or their 
guardians, it's a key area for us," said Krueckl, who will be taking 
facilitation training for the program in the coming months.

Kids and Drugs includes a series of five workshop sessions for 
parents and a parent handbook.

"We talk about the power of parents talking to their kids, helping 
your kids make good decisions and information on drugs. What I hope 
is that people will get over the stigma fi rst of all and be willing 
to come out to the workshop," said Krueckl, of the program that is 
geared to both parents and caregivers.

"I hope they take away some good tools on just how to stay involved 
in you children's' life. We have become so busy and a lot of times we 
forget the little things, so I hope it can reinforce for some parents 
and also brings new tools and ideas for parents to take back and 
bring into their family setting."

In the future Krueckl plans to not only facilitate the program in the 
community, but train others to do so as well.

The partnership between drug coalitions - AHS, AADAC and the RCMP - 
is integral for the program's success, according to Krueckl.

"You want the support coming from the top down. When you look at the 
program, though the name says 'kids and drugs,' in itself there are 
really so many other components to it. The big stressor is around 
prevention, not intervention," said Krueckl.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom