NORTH SHOFE teens and voung aduis looking for an exit
from the get-high, get-happy quick rollercoaster have a
viable solution in the Breakaway Drug Abuse Society drug

and alcohol outpatient progra

Ogram claims ao mstam

t. according to program
director Tara Birabaum, ff does
support show the was to a
cleaner iifests

The core af the program is the
Ih-step comimitment system origi-
nated by Aleohoiics Anonymous
and modified for Breakaway to
target youths ranging in age from
org 28 locked into drug and
aleonol substance abuse.

Said Birnbaum: “One of our
strongest assets is the fact that our
counsellors are going through the
recovery process and have been
sober for at least one year.”

Day program participants must
make a minimum 30-day commit-
ment and may take part for a max-
imum {S-month period.

Program counsellors have found
that afrer 30 days of sobriety, par-
ticipants tend to begin facing up to
problems of guilt, low self-esteem,
confusion and identity crisis.

“The kids hang out with a posi-
tive peer support group and can
talk to the counsellors on a one-
on-one basis. One of the biggest
problems they find is finding peer.
support to stay sober. We're
always there as positive role
models of enthusiastic sobriety,”’
said Birnbaum.

m.

By MICHAEL BECKER

News Reporter

“We offer positive ways and
positive suggestions. You can en-
joy tife without getting high and
instant gratification. You focus on
self-honesty, self-esteem and alter-
natives such as going to the
movies, sober parties and dances.”
she said.

The program was initiated local-
ly by North Vancouver resident
Dianne Westerlund after her young
son began experimenting with
drugs. She was perturbed to find
no social safety net available for
support on the North Shore.

Westerlund had recently read
Beyond The Yellow Brick Road, a
oook written by Bob Meehan.
founder of similar drug treatment
programs in the U.S. 15 years ago.

She telephoned Meehan and
asked for help. He came to the
North Lonsdale United Church
last fali to talk to parents and
within two weeks a counsellor was
dispatched from the U.S. to help
set up a local program.

Interested parents established a

See Drug
Page 44

43 - Sunday, September 20, 1987 - North Share News

Throw
the correct
party

PAGE 45 |

NEWS phato Tom Burtey
BREAKAWAY Drug Abuse Society program director Tara Birnbaum takes time out from a recent Friday
evening session with local North Shore teens at St. Jehn’s Anglican Church in North Vancouver. The

Breakaway program offers young people and parents of young people experiencing problems with drug and
alcohol abuse a drug-free support network.

a workshop for walkers

on

Dr. Jack Taunton,
BC. Soortsmedicine Clinic
Viecnesday, Sept. 30, 1987

— 6:09 om

SUE HILLS FITNESS
Pare Royal Snopping Centre

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. BENEFITS OF WALKING

2. GETTING STARTED

3. ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT SHOES
Meet Peter from Champion Sports

Seating Limited — Please phone prior to September 23rd to reserve a place — 926-7706

WALKERS ONLY

A compieie activity and fitness program.
‘Reesday and Thursday 19-05-1105 am.
“ Starting Octoper 1st. 1987
- . Fees 7
+ month
3 months

A graded eatroduction to wafking plus information
. oo nealtn and fitness topics.

| $20,00
$50.60

WALK WITH SUE

Sunday morning walks, different routes avery week;
inchided will be discussions on health topics.
‘Meet at.SUE HILLS FITNESS CENTRE
Sundays — 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 am.
- Starting October 411, 1987
$2.00 Grop-In Fee for non-members
DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF WALKING
AND ENJOY THE COMPANY OF OTHERS!

e Aluminum

h

meerer EAM

GET OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT WITH |

rE NIKE
CHAMPION SPORTS & | SALE °59°

Ladies’
Ladies’

& Men’s
Nike Airwalkers

Champlen Sports

Park Royal Norin

g29-2115 Park Royal Sou

[uaearonserie

ae

SALE 57488