Pubdate: Wed, 31 Mar 2010
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Page: A4
Copyright: 2010 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ANOTHER OUTREACH PROGRAM IN SASK.

A new program to tackle substance abuse among youth is underway in 
southern Saskatchewan.

Open Connections, an outreach and intervention project in the Five 
Hills Health Region (covering Moose Jaw and south-central 
Saskatchewan), is designed to assist youth struggling with a 
substance abuse problem or at risk of developing one.

The project is to receive $1.3 million over three years from Health 
Canada to help those age 12 to 24 years.

"It is a community-based program to provide outreach and early 
intervention services," explained Terry Hutchinson, the region's 
mental health and addictions services executive director. "What we're 
hoping to do is work with community-based organizations to enhance 
their capacity for providing a continuum of treatment and recovery 
programs for youths."

A number of community agencies were involved in developing the 
program, he added.

"It really is to enhance some capacity to provide some education and 
supports to community programs that are already existing out there."

Open Connections will include an outreach component to engage youth 
outside of traditional school and clinic settings. The goals include 
developing meaningful, trusting relationship with youth and also 
equipping them with skills, such as problem-solving, to deal with the issue.

While drugs are often seen as a big city problem, Hutchinson said 
there is clearly a need for the service in their area as well. 
Problems drugs include alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. "We see in our 
region mostly what you'd see in every other region, but alcohol is 
certainly the number one priority," Hutchinson said.

The project will target youths in Moose Jaw since it is the largest 
centre in the health region, but will look at expanding into other 
rural areas within the health region as well.

Although the project was announced on Tuesday, services have been 
offered since January.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom