Prevention

The Prevention Program strives to facilitate a community prevention planning process involving youth, parents, schools and surrounding communities. Based on this planning process and input received from community stakeholders, we help develop and implement local alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention programs and activities. The goal of the program is to reduce the likelihood that youth will start using substances and slow the rate at which alcohol and other drug problems develop among youth within the community.

PROGRAM FEATURES

The Prevention Program operates two distinct services:

1. School Based Prevention operating in: South Delta Secondary School (Tsawwassen), Delta Secondary School (Ladner), Seaquam Secondary School (Delta), A.D. Rundle and Chillilwack Middle Schools (Chilliwack) and Aldergrove Community Secondary School (Aldergrove)
2. Community Based Prevention which operates throughout Surrey School District (#36)
   

Program Presentations:

We are available to give presentations to any class you would like to augment with a Substance Abuse Prevention component.  Some of the presentations we can provide are:

Gateway Drugs
Emphasizes the illegality of substances for youth, and how choosing to use them can create major change in their lives, including exposure to other drugs; physical, emotional, psychological and social problems; and the higher risk of addiction for youth who use them.
(For grades 5 through 8 CAPP Substance Abuse components)

Uppers, Downers, All-Arounders
Addresses the myths and realities of drug use.  This presentation discusses the physical, mental and emotional impact of substance use and categorizes drugs into three basic groups to facilitate understanding of the action of the drugs on the body and to better predict the results of mixing substances, overdose, etc.  Focus on youth questions to directly respond to the need in their lives for information about specific substances.
(For grades 9 through 12 CAPP Substance Abuse components)

Model of Change
Explains the Trans-theoretical Model of Change, as created by Prochaska and DeClemente and assists in the understanding of how people can make change in their lives concerning their substance use and how any behaviour can be modified or improved.
(For grade 11 or 12 Psychology, Peer Leadership/Counselling, or other social science classes)

Media Literacy
About how media target and recruit youth.  This presentation focuses on the power of media to create ideas about substance use and its relative acceptance.  Students learn to interpret advertising messages targeted at them and critique alcohol and cigarette ads for content and meaning.  Encourages critical thinking and consuming
(for grades 10 through 12)

Drug and Alcohol Information for Adults
Focuses on the importance of families and communities as influences on their children's ability to make healthy choices regarding substance use/misuse.  This presentation helps parents recognize the signs and symptoms of drug use and provides them with a broad understanding of the way drugs work in the body.
(For parents, teachers, or administrators)
Other presentations can include but are most definitely not limited to: Marijuana reduction (Weed Wackers Group) and Binge Drinking (P.A.R.T.Y.)

Presentations are also available for grades K-7

School-based Activities:
We work in collaboration with schools and communities to promote activities based on healthy lifestyle choices, such as: Drug Awareness Week, National Non-Smoking Week, community health fairs, Kick the Nic smoking cessation groups, “Beauty from the Inside Out” body image training, summer youth programming, community presentations, program or curriculum design, and CAPP in-service workshops.

Peer Leadership Training:
This program trains adolescents to take a leadership role within their school community.  Particular attention is paid to substance abuse information, presentation skills and the art and science of communication.  Through Peer Leadership Training, youth will:

Participate in a productive activity based on their new skills

• Feel more confident in all areas of their lives
• Become an influential and proactive member of their communities
  

Youth are required to complete 30 hours of knowledge and skill training prior to their involvement in any project.  A certificate is given upon completion of the training.  Youth interested in social service work, psychology, or in impacting their world would be appropriate candidates.  Youth may also use these hours towards CAPP credit or other school required humanities-based practicum experience.