Youth formulate own answers to addictions questions

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The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) is operating a new pilot project to prevent high-risk youth from developing alcohol, drug or gambling problems.

The project has three components in phase one, which is already up and running, and expects to add two components this year.

First, there are currently mobile service teams have been organized to provide outreach services in six test communities. In addition, a fledgling youth advisory committee on alcohol, drugs and gambling is in place, with at least one Aboriginal representative on it. The third component is the development and expansion of a website for youth aged nine to 13.

The project is part of a cross-government initiative to help Alberta's youth. It results from recommendations that came out of the premier's task force on children at risk and the Alberta children's forum, held more than a year ago. The forum and the task force revealed that youth and their families want more accessible information, education, counselling and treatment around addictions. The youth advisory committee was one of the "key driving forces" behind the pilot, according to Darlene Gartner, an AADAC project co-ordinator.

Gartner added that when the government was hosting forums across the province, Edmonton had one forum (Nov. 30) that was strictly for Aboriginal youth "to say 'these are our needs, and this is what we would like to see happen to address them.'"

The new treatment and prevention measures implemented through the pilot will enhance existing AADAC programs and services, which are described on the internet at www.aadac.com.

"Our goal is to make a connection with young people struggling with alcohol and drug abuse or gambling problems by reaching out to them with our services. Providing counselling, information and support to these young people and their families at the earliest possible stage is our priority," said AADAC chairman LeRoy Johnson in a prepared statement Dec. 1.

Mobile teams start

The mobile service teams consisting of nine staff were "just getting going" as of Jan. 2, said Gartner. They will operate for six months in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Red Deer and Lethbridge.

At least one worker in each centre will provide information, crisis intervention, assessments and short-term counselling in schools, young offender centres and other community access points. The outreach locations will be co-ordinated in consultation with each of the six communities. There will be an effort to provide service to some rural locations that don't have much access to services now. Finally, the mobile service teams will refer youth to existing AADAC services for longer-term help where needed.

Youth will oversee

The eight-member youth advisory committee's role is to make sure the messages going out reflect the ages of the intended audience and that they connect with the youth at risk. The committee will provide guidance and direction to AADAC on the suitability of materials and methods and give input into the creation and operation of the youth website.

The group is also expected to play a key role in planning and devising future activities related to the initiative.

The committee youth are 15 to 17 years old and come from the six pilot communities.

AADAC believes that with youth guiding much of the process, the materials and services developed will be meaningful and relevant to the youth they want to reach.

Technology helps

The website, named "my room" is intended to be a tool for not only conveying alcohol, drug and gambling information appropriately to youth, but to also give them, their parents and other concerned people the opportunity to comment on the needs of youth and the relevance of the pilot to them. "My room" is found at www.aadac4kids.com.

Right now the site is aimed primarily at the nine to 13 age group. More mature materials targeted to ages 14 to 17 will be phased in, said Marlyn Mitchell, AADAC?s superor of youth services in Edmonton, on Jan. 4.

"My room" deals with fears and problems that include peer and family relations, school stress, identity, goal-setting and decision-making.

The site is also meant to help adults understand how they can help youth deal with negative pressures. Just as important, adults can find out what youth really think about issues that are affecting them.

Mitchell said AADAC personnel work with school officials to help make youth aware of their services. Recently they have included Edmonton's new Aboriginal school, Amiskwaciy Academy, but their guidance counsellor could not be reached for comment about the pilot project.

"With regards to services specifically for and with Aboriginal persons," said Gartner, "what happens is at the community level the mobile service teams meet with a variety of groups . . . and together they've negotiated some service that works for the school and that we work together and provide. So it's really very much an alliance."

Next steps

Once this pilot project is well underway, AADAC wants to expand its initiative to create a public awareness campaign targeting youth and their families. The agency is also developing alcohol and drug educational materials this year.