“By becoming involved in health promotion and addiction prevention work, people are making a valuable difference in their community,” says Michelle House, Western Health’s Vice President of Population Health. “Individuals, especially teens, who are involved in their communities are less likely to be involved with alcohol, drugs and gambling.” A variety of events such as movie nights, lunch and learn sessions, presentations for parents and youth, and poster contests are happening throughout the week. Community members are encouraged to participate in these activities and learn more about substance use and gambling.
For more information about Addictions Awareness Week Activities or how you can become involved, please contact your local Mental Health and Addiction Services Office or Cathy Wheeler-Walsh, Regional Addictions Prevention Consultant at 637-5000 ext. 6691.
If you or someone you know may have a problem with alcohol, other drugs or gambling or you would like more information, go to www.addictionhelpnl.ca or www.getuponit.ca or call the HealthLine at 1-888-709-2929.
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For further information:
Heidi Staeben-Simmons
Director of Communications
Western Health
637-5252
Backgrounder: Addictions Awareness Week Activity Grant Recipients
- RecHouse Community Youth Network - Lunch & Learn presentation follow by trivia and bowling at the Bruce 2 arena.
- Piccadilly Central High – Lunch & Learn presentation (alcohol & drug awareness).
- Lourdes Elementary – Students will participate in the Amazing Race and complete alcohol & drug awareness activities.
- St. Thomas Aquinas – Grant Fitzpatrick (Canadian Mental Health Association) is speaking with students about what mental health is and how to maintain good mental health.
- Stephenville Middle School - Students will participate in the Amazing Race and complete alcohol & drug awareness activities.
- Charlene Felix – Trivia game focusing on the mental health aspects of gambling (College of the North Atlantic, Stephenville).
- Mental Health & Addiction Services, Burgeo – Mocktail event for staff @ Calder Health Centre.
- St. Peter’s Vesty – Community Supper with information session on alcohol & drug awareness.
- Mental Health & Addictions Services, Port Saunders – Alcohol & drug awareness trivia at school.
- Community Advisory Committee, Port Saunders - Family Fun Day Activity @ French Shore Academy with alcohol & drug awareness information.
- Allied Youth & Youth Outreach Worker - Youth Movie Night focused on substance use prevention.
- Trinity Pentecostal Church - Nature walk followed by alcohol & drug awareness scavenger hunt & healthy lunch.
- Lizeta Gould – Host a Youth Dart night and use displays to promote healthy choices.
- French Shore Academy - Poster contest – What ‘addiction awareness’ means to students.
- Communities In Schools (C.C. Loughlin) – Information session at breakfast program.
- Mind Your Health Working Group – 2 Events at the Dunfield Park Community Centre - Show video ‘The Ups and Downs’ to Teen Haven Group & ‘The Fine Line Chat’ (parenting information) with Adult Basic Education group.
- Grenfell Campus Psychology Society – Trivia booth and mocktails event at Grenfell University.
- Public Health Nurse and Youth Outreach Worker, Corner Brook - Addictions Awareness Jeopardy at Corner Brook Regional High with top winners moving on to a Tobacco Challenge on Rogers Cable. Also, addictions awareness booth with mocktails.
- Employment Preparation Centre - Essay Contest @ Corner Brook Regional High with essay on topics related to addictions.
- Dunfield Park Community Centre - Addiction Awareness Trivia Night, presentation & refreshments for youth age 12 – 18.
- Evening Breezes 50+ Club - Presentations on gambling & medication awareness.
- Allied Youth, Pollards Point - Allied Youth Post will give an education session on the dangers of addictions – session prepared and presented by youth with the aid of their advisor.
- Public Health Nurse - School community skate for Presentation Junior High with information available on addictions awareness week.
- Skills Link – Lunch & Learn & Drug Awareness Jeopardy.
- Deer Lake Sea Cadet Corps - Informative handouts & drug awareness jeopardy.
- Xavier Junior High - Trivia game related to addictions awareness displays. Students have to answer questions & then are eligible for a prize.