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." - ---------------------------------------- [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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom