Take Action in Secondary Schools
SECTION V:
Communicating About Prevention
Community Connections
Public Health
Preventative Education Programs and Information:Health promotion and disease prevention play key roles in Ontario's health system. The Ministry of Health Promotion works to develop community-based programs in co-operation with Public Health Units across Ontario and a wide range of local partners, including health service providers, health and community organizations, schools, businesses and volunteers. These programs are designed to address specific local needs, while mobilizing broader community participation and resources in support of health promotion activities.
To find out more information about your local public health unit, go to
Health Units on Alphaweb.org
Local public health agencies have a mandate to enforce the provincial Smoke- Free Ontario Act and participate in substance abuse prevention in school settings. Public health unit staff can be contacted for such things as facilitating small groups, educational materials and resources for schools, teaching kits with lesson plans, providing teacher in-services, working on community health fairs, displays in schools, and educational sessions for parents.
Police Services
The police can be a key partner with substance abuse prevention, education and enforcement. Your school can work with local police to provide either direct or indirect education to your students in a non-confrontational way.
The Code of Conduct encourages partnerships with drug and alcohol agencies and local police to promote prevention strategies and, when necessary, to carry out intervention strategies.
Police typically have a mandate to provide education to the youth in local communities on issues and programs that may include, but not be limited to, violence prevention, anger management, substance abuse, VIP program and internet safety. You can contact your local police department to determine who works in the area of community services and provides these programs.
The police can also provide connections for youth to other services in the community such as Victim's Services, youth centers, mental health, social services, food security and other key agencies.
Teachers may want to invite police officers to their classrooms to provide a presentation on substance abuse and the legal consequences related to use. As well, school administration can invite the police to visit the school on a weekly basis through lunch hours, to provide opportunities to interact with students on a non-confrontational basis.
School liaison officers are frequently assigned to work with schools in their communities. Other communities have organized sports events and competitions with police officers participating.
Through these activities, police and students can get to know each other and build a relationship of trust. Police can be recognized as a valuable resource for students rather than identified solely in their enforcement roles.
Community Organizations and Services
The Alcohol Policy Network (APN) of the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) supports communities to prevent alcohol abuse. The network works with public and community health professionals to ensure they acquire the skills and knowledge required for more effective alcohol prevention. The APN develops resource materials, coordinates a website and organizes professional development workshops.
www.apolnet.ca
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) provides research, treatment and education related to alcohol and other drugs and mental health. CAMH supports community initiatives aimed at preventing substance abuse, promoting mental health and helping people experiencing addictions. Staff from Regional Services work with community partners across Ontario to enhance the capacity and quality of services addressing the prevention and reduction of harm associated with addiction and mental health problems.
www.camh.net
The Family and Youth Information Program (FYI) at Parent Action on Drugs (PAD), offers support to families concerned about their adolescent's or young adult's use of alcohol and/or drugs. FYI's goal is to develop, initiate and deliver and promote quality prevention information, educational programs and health promotion activities for children, their families, and their communities.
www.parentactionondrugs.org
The FOCUS Community Program has demonstrated a commitment to addressing prevention of alcohol and other drug abuse in 22 communities across Ontario has demonstrated a commitment to addressing this issue. Children and youth are key audiences, with each FOCUS community being asked to allocate at least one third of its budget to reach young people.
www.frcentre.net
The Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership (ODAP) coordinates the annual Drug Awareness Week campaign in Ontario. Working with groups, such as the Ontario Secondary Schools Student's Association, Parent Action on Drugs, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Partnership supports the efforts of 75 local Drug Awareness Week Committees, which have planned approximately 500 different activities in communities across Ontario, many of which target youth.
www.odap.org
The Council on Drug Abuse (CODA) preventative education programs and information services are designed to increase awareness and understanding of the effects of alcohol and other drug abuse through education, information, dissemination and networking. Emphasis is placed on providing education to youth, and those associated with youth, including parents and teachers.
www.drugabuse.ca
For a national list of Health Promotion days, weeks and months, visit www.hc-sc.gc.ca, type 'health promotion calendar' in the search function tool
Calendar of Events
AIDS Awareness Week, annually, usually in late September or early October.
Arrive Alive Campaign, annually, usually in the summer, beginning with the first long weekend of the year. In Ontario, contact is OCCID (Ontario Community Councils Against Impaired Driving) at 416-485-4411 or
Drug Awareness Week, (Ontario), annually, third Week of November. Many Drug Awareness Committees across the province have planned activities. Call Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership (ODAP) at 1-866-202-2146 for the committee nearest you or e-mail
National Addictions Awareness Week, annually, third week of November. Each province has an awareness campaign. Call Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership, 1-866-202-2146 for names of provincial bodies outside Ontario.
National Non-Smoking Week, annually, third week in January. Again each province has groups which co-ordinate campaigns. In Ontario, call the Ontario Tobacco-Free Network (OTN) at 1-866-922-2238.
National Students Against Impaired Driving Day, co-ordinated through BACCHUS, the Alcohol Education Group, website www.bacchus.ca, e-mail
World No-Tobacco Day, May 31 annually. In Ontario, call the Ontario Tobacco-Free Network (OTN) at 1-866-922-2238.
World AIDS Day, Annually, early December. Co-ordinated through local AIDS Committees or Public Health.
