Substance Abuse Support Program (project step)
Substance Abuse Support
Substance Abuse Support Program (Project Step)
The counselling, treatment and information youth need today, to prevent life-long addiction and support student success.
Through collaboration, we intend to address the support, treatment, education, and prevention education (step) needs of youth in grades 7 to 12. Collectively, with funding from the local and provincial governmental entities, school boards, and other sources, it is our goal to improve access to substance abuse education, and providing critical school-based counselling to students and parents affected by drug and/or alcohol addiction. We also intend to play a pivotal role in raising awareness and community funds for project step, as well as overseeing the coordination and delivery of in-school programming in local schools.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SUPPORT PROGRAM
If you’re looking for support with substance use and misuse problems or know someone who is, we can help. Our services are free and confidential and our counsellors are available to support youth with substance use issues, options to make healthier choices and practice safely. We offer professional support, both to the youth with substance use issues and their family. We can work with parents, guardians, or other family members whether or not the youth is willing to engage in counselling. We also provide support for youth who are affected by parents or guardians with substance use challenges.
NEED
Recent research revealed that 85% of adults with addiction started abusing drugs or alcohol before the age of 18. In Canada, 1 in 7 students in grades 9-12 report symptoms of a drug use problem.
According to the 2017 Student Drug Use and Health Survey, 1 in 10 students in grades 7-12 used prescription opioid pain relievers (e.g., Percocet, Percodan, Tylenol #3, Demerol, Dilaudid, OxyNEO, codeine) recreationally in the past year. The majority (55%) of these students obtained their drugs from a parent or sibling.
RESPONSE
As a result of this project step, we intend to offer high schools in our area access to a youth addictions counselor on site. In the next few years, we intend to service over 1,400 local students and more than 200 parents across school boards accessed counselling services. In addition, we also intend to reach 5,848 high school students, and over 8000 middle school students, as well as 2500 parents through their participation in substance abuse education and prevention sessions.
IMPACT
In the next years, our school-based counseling will reach more than 7,500 local youth, with expected results being impressive. Of the students tracked in the pilot program evaluation group, over 70% had reduced or stopped “using,” while 97% of students in counseling completed their school year.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
- The right to identify your own goals
- The opportunity to negotiate the frequency of your appointments
- The right to take a break or stop therapy at any time
- Confidentiality, subject to legal limitations
You can help students succeed
You can help us provide our youth and their families with access to support, treatment, education and prevention programming. You can help kids struggling with substance abuse – before it’s too late.
OUR CONTACT DETAILS
#209, 77 15 Street East – Prince Albert, SK S6V 1E9 Canada
Telephone: (306) 900-9097 – Facsimile: (506) 704-6888 –
Email: contact@pedac.ca – Website: www.pedac.ca
Non-Profit Registration Number: 842853376RC0001
Learn More About Us
Through innovative and essential programming, we provide solutions to critical issues facing today’s students. Our programs aim to remove barriers to learning, provide students with the targeted support they need to succeed, and prepare them for post-secondary studies and meaningful careers.
