Walk sober and wave a flag

Page 9

People across the country will be celebrating addiction-free living Nov. 12 to 18, during the 13th annual National Addictions Awareness Week.

The goal of National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), organized by Nechi Training, Research & Health Promotions Institute, is to provide information about and increase awareness of addiction issues affecting people across Canada, while celebrating successes in living addiction free. Communities across the country are invited to take part in the week by organizing local events and activities related to addictions recovery and healthy lifestyles.

This year, NAAW will officially begin with a Join the Circle Rally and Walk Sober, to be held in Edmonton Nov. 13. Ceremonies will begin at Edmonton city hall at 9 a.m., followed by a march to Sacred Heart Church, where a hot lunch will be served, and entertainment will be provided.

In recognition of this being the Year of the Unity of Nations, this year's opening event will be different than in previous years. Over 80 cultural groups have been invited to take part in the march, carrying flags and waving banners, and celebrating community healing. As well, a representative of each province has also been invited to walk in the march, carrying with them their province's flag.

Last year, more than 1,000 communities took part in National Addictions Awareness Week. Based on the number of requests for NAAW packages received so far, Darlene Auger, program coordinator for the week, expects this year's participation could be double that. Auger believes one of the reasons involvement will be greater is because of invitations sent out to organizations that have participated in the past, but haven't been involved in the last few years.

"We sent them letters asking them to come back to the campaign and join the circle again," Auger said.

Since NAAW first began as a national initiative, the focus of the week has grown and expanded, Auger explained.

We're moving beyond sobriety . . . we're moving beyond the healing of self, and beyond the healing of families and we're moving now into the healing of communities," Auger said.

Another new feature of this year's NAAW will be a theme contest, giving youth from across Canada a chance to come up with a theme for next year's NAAW activities.

Since 1997, the theme of NAAW has been "It takes a whole community to raise a child." This year will be the last year for that theme to be used.

"We've been using that logo for the last four years, and it's time for a change," Auger said."

The contest is open to youth groups, clubs or schools. Entries will be accepted from groups consisting of at least five people, with participants ranging in age from eight to 18. To take part in the contest, each group must organize an event or activity for this year's NAAW, coming up with a theme for their activity. The group coming up with the winning theme will win $1,000, with the entry coming in second receiving $500 and the third place finisher receiving $250.

Although this will be the last year for the "It takes a whole community to raise a child" theme, NAAW will continue to use its main theme, "Keep the Circle Strong."

For more information about this year's NAAW, or Theme Contest 2000, contact Nechi Institute at 780-460-4304 or 1-800-459-1884. You can also access NAAW information, order promotional items or register to participate in NAAW on the web at http://www.visions.ab.ca