Youth Substance Abuse Program

Publisher:

YMCA Greater Toronto

Availability:

English
www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-work-with/educators/substance-abuse/index.html

Format:

Peer Mentoring Guide, Parent Teacher Resource

Audience:

Ages 14-24

Preparation time:

Training for peer leaders (five hours), set up for each session (half an hour)

Resources required:

Videos, fact sheets

Approach:

Peer-facilitated program done in a small group format

The program, based on a harm reduction strategy, is designed to get youth to discuss substance use issues with other youth and to have open and honest dialogue with teachers and guardians in a supportive environment. The program is a course of nine, one and half hour sessions, where all participants of the school community will be involved.

Application/relevance to curriculum:

Health and Physical Education, Guidance initiative.

Comments:

This peer-led Toronto based program is an alternative for educators to invite outside agencies to assist them in dealing with substance abuse issues with their students. There must be a connection made between the educator/administrator and the outside agency to agree to allow the time to implement this program. The program could prove to be very worthwhile for the entire school community.