‘| positive influences in teens’ ‘lives MAKING A difference is all about taking the initia- tive in making choices that are right for you. And the ‘results of those choices make a difference, not only to you, but to those around you. © Drug Awareness Weck was launchcd nationally in ‘1987, and since then thousands of individuals and communities throughout B.C. and Canada have joined together to promote the prevention of alcohol and other drug misuse. In B.C. alone; over 1,000 community events will be organized to cducate and create awareness of sub- ‘stance misuse issues. ~The efforis made by cach community truly make a difference, not only during Drug Awareness Week, but all through the year. These community events help raise the profile of local issues, as well as celebrate the successes of cach community's ongoing programs. - As weil as providing support. and assistance to community organizations for Drug Awareness Week, the B.C. Ministry of Health provides a variety of ongoing prevention programs and services. Here are several that are making a a difference to British Columbians. School programs The School-Based Prevention Project (SBPP) is a three-year pilot project Jaunched in B.C. secondary schools during the fast school year. Currently 47 prevention workers are helping 67 schools in 37 school districts coordinate the preven- tion of alcohol and other drug misuse among adoles- cents. A partnership program with the B.C. Dairy Foundation and BCTV encourages students in Grades 8 to 12 to praduce a video that explores the positive .influences that affect their lives and the choices they make. Entries will be judged on content, creativity and technical merit. Finalists and the grand prize winner will be shown on BCTV’s The Performers. Entry deadline is April 12. For information on this contest, call 294-3775. A special drama for students in Grades 8 to 12 funded by the ministry is helping raise awareness about factors, such as self-esteem and peer pressure, that influence alcoho! and other drug use. The Green Thumb Theatre started touring the play around the Lower Mainland last month. .Discover how syivan Learning Centre can give your child ‘the educational edge that makes a difference. in our stress-free, positive environment, children become excit- ed about learning. You can see If on their faces — and on their report cards. Study Skills + Witting Program | * Time Management * Time Powet/Goal Setting * Ustening « Note taking « Outlining *» Reading » Study strategies 9 Test taking strategies Beginning Reading Program * Word Analysis skills * Oralreading » Fluency ¢ Vocabulary * Comprehension Academic Reading * Higher fevel/critical thinking skills _ * Analysis/Synthesis/Evatuation North Shore Syivan 985-6811 fa Leaming | Coquitlam : paena Centre: 941-9166 Helping kids be their best . « Outlining * Editing Skills Math/Algebra application SERVING THE NORTH SHORE FOR 78 YEARS « Computation Skills « Understanding of concepts & thelr * Grammar/Mechanics « Paragraph, Essay & Report Writing * Experience with theoretical math Richmond 273-3266 Surrey 596-5451 shouldn't be an essay question. “Have you done your homework?” § for counselling | SELF-REFERRALS are the main way people with sub- stance-abuse problems become clients of the North Shore’s two government-funded coun- | selling services. By Anna Marie D’Angelo News Reporter The facilities include the Seaview Alcohol and Drug Programs (SADP), 926-9260 (clin- ic in West Vancouver), and the Alternatives Substance Abuse Prog-am (ASAP), 984-0255, in North Vancouver. ‘ ASAP executive director Alan Podsadowski said most of the clients have an alcohol-abuse prob- lem. Marijuana abuse and cocaine abuse are tied for the second most- .?Gused substances. Podsadowski said ASAP has a new focus on family treatment rather than the treatment of a sub- stance abuser in isolation. “In most cases, family members will become involved in the treat- ment,” he said. “We feel it. is critically impor- tant because you can’t treat an alco- holic or an addict in isolation and then send them back to a family where there have been so many prob/ems because of alcohol or drug addiction,” said Podsadowski. He said 400 clients are treated yearly by a staff of more than seven counsellors. ASAP services clients from North Vancouver and West Vancouver. A client’s assessment occurs within 48 hours of contacting the facility. Group counselling is pro- vided almost immediately after, said Podsadowski. He said there is sometimes a wait for one-to-one therapy. ASAP uses an abstinence model with a “guided self-care” approach ‘positive. ‘lifestyles,” said Owen. to their treatment program. Guided self-care involves empowering clients to face future challenges. Podsadowski wrote a 440-page workbook called “Recovering From Addiction: A Guidebook For the Journey,” which is used by ASAP and other Canadian drug programs to implement the guided self-care approach. = ASAP also sponsors prevention programs including working with parents whose kids are on drugs. Podsadowski said nowadays - therapy has been demystified and — clients are less averse to profession- al counselling. He said people these days tend to be less in denial as far as admit- ting to having a substance- abuse ” SADP executive director Maureen G.ven said the wait for counselling: : services there is Jess ‘than six:: months. A ‘priority system is“in place within the waiting list, ‘she said. ‘ SADP is staffed by three: coun- sellors. Clients live in: West Vancouver, Lions Bay and Bowen Island. , Be Owen said alcohol, marijuana. and cocaine are the major. ‘sub-, stances abused by clients. ~ ; But she said there was a recent increase of heroin abuse on the North Shore. Clients typically receive e one- hour counselling services each week tailored to their needs, said Owen. The goals of SADP vary : depending on the client. - % “Sometimes our goal is absti- 7 nence. But we have a realistic approach structured to the clients’ needs and where they are coming. from,” said Owen. °. . “We do try to teach people the life influences _ and Make healthier choices THE CHOICES you make do make a difference. This is the message that will be promoted by the Ministry of Health during Drug Awareness Weck, Nov. 14 to 20. The weck-long event will high- light a celebration of the the pasi- tive things that happen throughout the year in B.C. to help promote the awareness and prevention of sub- stance misuse. “Our goal is to focus on the pos- itive,” said the British Columbia minister of health, Paul Ramsey. Some 1,000 events are being planned to promote awarencss of this issue —— everything from work- shops and public forums to health- a-thons and contests. “Ultimately it’s the communities who make this program happen,” said Ramsey. “They set up pro- grams that run well beyond Drug Awareness Week. “They are the ones who make a difference, all year long.” North Shore Counselling Centre Counselling & therapy for individuals, couples and families who are experiencing difticulty adjusting to some aspect of life such as drug and alcohol problerns, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties etc. An accredited service centre Professional — Confidential. Specializing in Medical, Ostomy and Diabetic Supplies FREE PRESCRIPTION DELIVERY North Shore Counselling Centre 2104 Gordon, W.Van. 926-5495