Pubdate: Sat, 11 Feb 2012
Source: Packet & Times (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.orilliapacket.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397
Author: Miranda Minassian
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

UP PROGRAM TARGETS TEENS' DRUG, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

ORILLIA - Orillia students are calling for more mental health 
supports to help them reach their goals and avoid the pitfalls of drug abuse.

Drinking and drug use by youth in the area is among the highest in 
the province, and a recent study of Simcoe County students points to 
a lack of mental health resources as the No. 1 reason.

Looking to understand what drives students to use illicit drugs, the 
youth-run Understanding Our Perspective (UP) project has been 
connecting with 13- to 18-year-old high school students since 2010.

"Probably the biggest factor in Orillia (for) the youth we worked 
with was the need for mental health support and substance-abuse 
coping supports. There are not enough of these kinds of youth 
services," said Pamela Thorne, co-ordinator of the UP program. 
"Overall, across the entire county, the No. 1 reason for using came 
down to coping."

Students within the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration 
Network (LHIN) area reported the highest amount of hazardous drinking 
in Ontario at 33%, as well as drug-use problems exceeding the 
provincial average at 18%, according to a 2011 study by the Canadian 
Centre on Substance Abuse.

Drugs and alcohol tend to be used by students who face other 
challenges, like mental health issues, trauma or abuse, the report stated.

"The reality is that there is such little support for them and such 
little guidance. I am not surprised by the amount of substance use 
I've seen. I haven't met with many youth who haven't tried 
substances," Thorne said. "The services that do exist do not have the 
resources to meet the needs of the youth in the community."

A teacher focus group included in an UP report revealed constant 
changes and cuts to services within the community, as well as a lack 
of available resources, acted as barriers to helping them guide 
students seeking help regarding mental health or substance abuse.

"I have had problems at home and I did not know who to turn to for 
help. Unfortunately, this is the same for many youth in Orillia, as 
well as faculty at (my) school," one 18-year-old youth UP leader 
reported. "If we turn to them, they would have very little idea as to 
where to send us."

While alcohol and marijuana are the most prevalent substances abused, 
with 45% of students in the LHIN area reporting binge drinking in the 
past month and 35% reporting use of cannabis, they are by no means 
the only drugs local teens are using.

Ecstasy, cocaine, a variety of prescription medications and crystal 
methamphetamine were all listed as common drugs used among youth in 
the Orillia area.

In the three years she has been working in the area, Thorne has 
identified Orillia's youth as being among the most in need within the county.

"What is it about Orillia? I can't tell you, but there is high need 
there," she said.

Not only looking to shed light on youth substance abuse locally, the 
UP program has given those teens involved hope that things can change.

"They feel like their voice matters and that this is an opportunity 
to make change for the community," Thorne said. "These youth leaders 
want future generations to feel like they can have support and people 
in their lives when they are at a loss and don't know where else to go."

Not only beneficial to the youth leaders who helped prepare the 
report, Thorne believes having students contribute to understanding 
local issues is an empowering experience.

"A big part of what they are working on with mental health is 
reminding youth that there is no shame in that," she said, "reminding 
people to take care of (themselves) and that everyone has those 
moments and sometimes need help."

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[sidebar]

Help is out there

Mental Health and Addiction Services of Simcoe County provides 
services to anyone - including concerned family members or friends - 
affected by problems with alcohol, drug use or gambling. The agency 
can be reached at 705-325-4499.

Orillia Youth Centre offers information on local clubs and services 
geared toward youth. Call the centre at 705-325-8082 for more information.

Dialling 211 provides information and referral to community and 
social services in Ontario.

Kids Help Phone is a confidential, free, 24-hour counselling service 
at 1-800-668-6868.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom