Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund (DSCIF) Funded Projects - Alberta

On this Page:

• New Dawn Rising
• Charlie's Hope
• Youth Resiliency
• Non-Stop Party
• Community Supports for Gang Prevention and Intervention Program
• Youth Action Now - Engaging Youth in Healthy Choices
• An Integrated Approach to Addictions in Edmonton 2008-2011
• Kelly Bear Project - Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Prevention Program (Grade One Expansion)
• Teaming Up For Addiction Free Youth - The Watson Project
• Youth Drug Impact Project

New Dawn Rising

Organization: Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association

Contact Information:
Mr. Nelson Mayer
Executive Director
Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association
10336 - 121 Street
Edmonton, AB T5N 1K8
Telephone: 780-423-3138
Fax: 780-425-6277
Email: director@anfca.com

Description
The Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA), along with its partners at Regional Health Services, Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS) and University of Alberta, will conduct a province wide program development process. The proposed process will include the gathering, assessment and provision of best practices for the development of future programs and services as they relate to the awareness, prevention and cessation of addictions, including illicit drugs, in Alberta's urban Aboriginal populations, especially youth. This project involves execution of 2 phases over a 15-month period.

Charlie's Hope

Organization: Old Strathcona Youth Society

Contact Information:
Karen Drynan
Executive Director
Old Strathcona Youth Society
10325 - 82 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6E 2C6
Telephone: 780-496-5947
Fax: 780-944-5566
Email: edirector@osys.ca

Description:
"Charlie's Hope" is a 30-month project that will reduce and prevent the negative impacts of illicit drug use among at-risk youth through health promotion strategies. Project partners include the Youth Emergency Shelter Society, Youth Ventures, Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta Children's Services. The project will challenge youth's attitudes around illicit drug use and street life, and introduce them to healthier lifestyles through engagement, relationship building, assistance and advocacy.

Youth Resiliency

Organization: County of Vermilion River

Contact Information:
Pat Calyniuk
Family School Liaison Team Leader
County of Vermilion River
P.O. Box 69
Kitscoty, AB T0B 2P0
Telephone: 780-853-4164
Fax: 780-853-4696
Email: pat.calyniuk@btps.ca

Description:
The three year project "Youth Resiliency" will link existing services, expertise, partnerships and build on recent youth-focused involvement to develop and deliver a multi-tiered initiative that is strength based and will provide consistent messaging and activities supporting the message. The project includes the Vermilion River Healthy Communities Coalition comprised of Alberta Health Services (AHS), various counties, townships and villages, community organizations, health regions, RCMP and schools. The main project objective is to increase community capacity to reduce illicit drug use among youth use and other at-risk behaviours and to increase healthier behaviours by enhancing youth developmental assets (life skills) through two planned activities each year in seven communities over three years.

Non-Stop Party

Organization: Lakeland Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth Program Association

Contact Information:
Ms. Audrey Karperien
Executive Director
Lakeland Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth Program Association
6118 53 Avenue
Cold Lake, AB T9M 1V5
Telephone: 780-594-9959
Email: lakelandpartyprogram@telus.net

Description:
The 12-month project "Non-Stop PARTY" will teach youth to manage risks regarding illicit drug use through demonstrated skills, attitudes and behaviours that prevent illicit drug use. Project partners include Alberta Health Services (AHS), City of Cold Lake, the Native Friendship Centre, Victims Services, Big Brothers and Sisters, local Youth Centres and Public and Separate School Boards. The main objective of the proposed "Non-Stop PARTY Project" is to build the resiliency skills of 720 grade 9 students at risk of illicit drug use and other at-risk behaviours by: training 24 classes of approximately 30 students each with learning opportunities to discourage illicit drug use; training at least one teacher per school; developing a manual to facilitate program delivery by teachers; securing community level support; and obtaining on-going feedback from teachers and parents.

Community Supports for Gang Prevention and Intervention Program

Organization: Native Counselling Services of Alberta

Contact Information:
Ms. Karen Erickson
Native Counselling Services of Alberta
10975 - 124 Street
Edmonton, AB T5M 0H9
Telephone: 780-447-9339
Fax: 780-428-0187
Email: karen-erickson@ncsa.ca

Description:
The 15-month project "Community Supports for Gang Prevention and Intervention Program" will provide advice and support to community and government partners through the development and delivery of services. The ranges of services provided include: leading practice information on gang and illicit drug prevention and intervention to community representatives; building capacity of community organizations to respond to youth referred by the Gang Intervention and Diversion Program (GIDP); and supporting collaboration for a coordinated response to GIDP referrals, to at-risk youth and their families; and support for the development of cross-sector collaboration for a coordinated response to youth gang prevention and illicit drug networks. Project partners include Edmonton Police Services, City of Edmonton Children's Services, Alberta Justice, and Edmonton Public and Catholic School Boards.

Youth Action Now - Engaging Youth in Healthy Choices

Organization: Wood Buffalo HIV and AIDS Society

Contact Information:
Mr. Daven Seebarran
Wood Buffalo HIV and AIDS Society (WBHAS)
204, 10011 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K7
Telephone: 780-743-9200
Fax: 780-743-9254
Email: wbhas@telus.net

Description:
The 30-month project "Youth Action Now" aims to explore with youth the factors that contribute to illicit drug use and to increase the knowledge of youth regarding the risks associated with illicit drug use. The proposed objectives will be achieved by developing training modules, manuals and tool kits for service providers and peer ambassadors when working with hard to reach youth and youth using illicit drugs, and conducting a social marketing campaign with pamphlets, brochures and population specific literature culminating into the launching of a youth focus website. Project partners include the Centre of Hope, Salvation Army, Marshall House, Girls Incorporated, Nistawayou Friendship Association, Boys and Girls Club, The DugOut (youth drop-in), Public/Catholic School boards and local industry.

An Integrated Community Approach to Addictions in Edmonton 2008-2011

Organization: City of Edmonton, Community Services Department

Contact Information:
Ms. Kate Gunn
City of Edmonton, Community Services Department
P.O. Box 2359
Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7
Telephone: 780-496-3969
Fax: 780-577-3525
Email: kate.gunn@edmonton.ca

Description:
The 29-month project, "An Integrated Community Approach to Addictions in Edmonton", will develop community-based solutions to illicit drug use and addictions among youth through a long term prevention-focused approach to community engagement. Activities will include: hiring a youth engagement worker; coordinating a number of high profile youth initiatives such as the development of film, theatre and sporting events aimed at engaging young people in positive ways around addictions and healthy lifestyles; fostering an integrated approach to youth assets, prevention, gang violence and safety issues; exchanging knowledge and supporting community partners through workshops, network meetings and conferences regarding addictions and youth-at-risk; and evaluating the project outcomes and track the impact.

Kelly Bear Project - Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Prevention Program (Grade One Expansion)

Organization: Golden Hills School Division No. 75

Contact Information:
Ms. Sharon Blanchard
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Educator
Golden Hills School Division No. 75
435A Highway No. 1
200 Brent Boulevard
Strathmore, AB T1P 1J9
Telephone: 403-934-5121 extension 245
Fax: 403-934-5125
Email: sblanchard@ghsd75.com

Description:
The 33-month "Kelly Bear" project will adapt an American program focused on upstream drug use prevention through training on self-understanding, respect, empathy, positive behaviours, coping skills, resiliency, social competence, responsibility, problem solving skills, refusal skills, and healthy living habits. The training will be provided to 230 grade one students over three years in Strathmore and Wheatland County. Partners of the Golden Hills School include: Alberta Health Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Strathmore Wheatland Drug Coalition, Strathmore Hospital, community businesses and parents.

Teaming Up for Addiction Free Youth - The Watson Project

Organization: Lethbridge School District No. 51

Contact Information:
Mr. Derek Resler
Lethbridge School District No. 51
433 - 15 Street South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 2Z5
Telephone: 403-327-3945
Fax: 403-380-6510
Email: Derek.Resler@Lethsd.ab.ca

Description:
The 33-month "Watson Project" will reduce illicit drug use by increasing protective factors in students. The project will achieve this through the following activities: teacher training with grade/age appropriate resources and out of class activities; recruiting mentors; providing information to aid parents/teachers within their addictions prevention role; and consulting with addictions specialists to develop policies/practices. Project partners include Alberta Health Services (AHS), Family Services, Opaakasin, Lethbridge Police, Community Health, local businesses, and the City of Lethbridge.

Youth Drug Impact Project

Organization: Calgary John Howard Society

Contact Information:
Ms. Leslie McMechan
Assistant Executive Director
The Calgary John Howard Society
917 - 9 Avenue South East
Calgary, AB T2G 0S5
Telephone: 403-264-0060
Fax: 403-265-2458
Email: leslie.mcmechan@johnhoward.calgary.ab.ca

Description:
The three year "Youth Drug Impact project" will develop a drug and crime prevention framework and resources for Calgary's at-risk youth focusing on enhancing youth's ability to reduce risky drug and related criminal behaviours. The project partners include Alberta Health Services, Edmonton John Howard Society, Calgary Drug Treatment Court and the Youth Recovery Coalition Society of Alberta.