Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund (DSCIF) Funded Projects - British Columbia

On this Page:

• Bridges
• The Youth Options Project
• The Youth Health and Wellness Project
• Paying Attention for Prevention
• Expansion and Assessment of the SACY (School Age Children and Youth - Substance Use Prevention Initiative) Pilot
• Using a Participatory Educator Approach (UPEA) to Address Illicit Drug Use Among Youth in the Upper Skeen Region of Northwest BC

Bridges

Organization: Board of Education of School District No. 36 (Surrey)

Contact Information:
Ms. Theresa Campbell
Manager, Safe Schools
Board of Education School District No. 36 (Surrey)
14033 92nd Avenue
Surrey, B.C. V3V 0B7
Phone: (604) 596-7733
Fax: 604-596-6594
Email: Campbell_t@s36.bc.ca

Description
Partnering with the Surrey School District, Surrey Parks and Recreation, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Surrey Fire Department, the objective of this 28-month project is to develop a "good practice" peer mentor program aimed at students in transition from elementary to high school. By connecting older youth mentors with grade 7 students about to transition to high school, the project intends to improve students' knowledge and skills to make healthier lifestyle choices and avoid illicit drug use.

The Youth Options Project

Organization: Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs

Contact Information:
Mr. Stewart Tracey
Area Director - Central Youth and Family Services
Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs
1434 Graham Street
P.O. Box 20222
Kelowna, BC V1Y 9H2
Telephone: 250 762-3989
Fax: 250 868-3466
Email: stracey@boysandgirlsclubs.ca

Description
The 31-month "Youth Options Project" is a community-based selective prevention initiative that provides at-risk youth between the ages of 14 and 18 years with structured, interactive group life-skills and recreational opportunities during evenings and weekend hours. In partnership with the Interior Health Authority Urban Outreach Addictions staff and Health Clinic, Kelowna Food Bank, Victory Life Fellowship, First United Church, Anglican Church, Canadian Mental Health Association, Regional District of Central Okanagan, City of Kelowna, and, Ministry of Children and Family Development, the objective of the project is to engage hard-to-reach, at-risk youth in increasing resiliency and connection to the community to discourage illicit drug use.

The Youth Health and Wellness Project

Organization: Ooknakane Friendship Centre

Contact Information:
Ms. Peggy Joe
Executive Director
Ooknakane Friendship Centre
1203 Main Street
Penticton, BC V2A 5E9
Telephone: 250-490-3504
Fax: 250-490-0891
Email: executivedirector@friendshipcentre.ca

Description
Targeting urban aboriginal youth and their families in the Southern Okanagan, the 25-month "Youth Health and Wellness Project" intends to leverage pre-existing in-kind youth centre recreational and social programming to create a holistic urban aboriginal prevention program. Partnering with the Interior Health Drug and Alcohol Services; Pathways Addiction Resource Centre; and regional elementary and secondary schools, the objective of the project is to provide transferable skills to youth mentors, as well as creating opportunities for youth interaction, engagement and connectedness to the community.

Paying Attention for Prevention

Organization: Roberts Creek Community School Society

Contact Information:
Ms. Stacia Leech
Roberts Creek Community School
General Delivery, Roberts Creek Road
Roberts Creek, BC V0N 2W0
Telephone: 604-885-3481
Fax: 604-885-6484
Email: rccs@dccnet.com

Description
The "Paying Attention for Prevention" project's objective is to implement an evidence-based mindfulness/non-violent communication (Mindfulness Education) program aimed at increasing the protective factors and resiliency of students transitioning to high school. In partnership with School District No. 46; Vancouver Coastal Health (Mental Health & Addictions); Sechelt Community School; Sunshine Coast Community Services; University of British Columbia; and Vancouver School Board, the 31-month project intends to test a model that could be used broadly in the British Columbia education system.

Expansion and Assessment of the SACY (School Age Children and Youth - Substance Use Prevention Initiative) Pilot

Organization: Vancouver Board of Education School District No. 39

Contact Information:
Mr. Art Steinmann
Project Coordinator
Vancouver Board of Education School District No. 39
1580 West Broadway Avenue, 4th floor Learning Services
Vancouver, BC V6J 5K8
Telephone: 604-713-5233
Fax: 604-713-5076
Email: asteinmann@vsb.bc.ca

Description
This three-year project's objective is to expand and further test the School Age Children and Youth (SACY) substance use prevention initiative in diverse school settings across Vancouver. SACY is a joint project of the Vancouver School Board and Vancouver Coastal Health in collaboration with the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Police Department, the University of British Columbia and the Centre for Additions Research of BC. The project intends to target four interrelated activity streams: School Policy and Environment; Youth Engagement and Leadership; Teacher Training and Curriculum Development; and, Parent Engagement and Education.

Using a Participatory Educator Approach (UPEA) to Address Illicit Drug Use Among Youth in the Upper Skeen Region of Northwest BC

Organization: Northern Health Authority - Wrinch Memorial Hospital

Contact Information:
Ms. Anne Docherty
Project Coordinator
Storytellers Foundation
1600 Omineca Street
PO Box 37
Hazelton, BC V0J 1Y0
Telephone: 250-842-6500
Fax: 250-842-5865
Email: adocherty@upperskeena.ca

Description
The "UPEA" project targets primarily aboriginal youth living off-reserve in a high needs area of British Columbia. Partnering with the Storytellers' Foundation, a registered non-profit society experienced in community learning and engagement, the 23-month project's objectives are to: design and deliver experiential education encouraging youth action to build healthy relationships and communities; coordinate community development learning projects about illicit drug use; design and implement an education campaign about the importance of healthy intergenerational relationships; conduct participatory action research about illicit drug use; and, improve local policies based on results.