Preventing Substance Use Problems Among Young People - A Compendium of Best Practices

Section 5 - Exemplary Canadian Programs

Peer Support Program

Target Population:

The primary target groups for this program are children and youth ages 9 - 17.

Setting:

School.

Youth Involvement in Program Development or Delivery:

Youth identify the needs and issues that are relevant to them and their peers. Based on identified needs and issues. Youth develop an action plan including which issues they will address and how. Youth help with hosting and planning special events offered through the PEERS Society including networking meetings and the annual youth conference.

Youth Needs Addressed:

To train youth to reach out and support their peers; to address relevant issues of friendship, loneliness, family relations, communications, school achievement, and peer pressure and substance abuse.

Interventions Used:

Formal instruction/training; Informal learning; Awareness events; Resource centre; Peer teaching; Peer counselling/referrals; Social activities; Counselling; Group facilitation. Team and activities are monitored by trained and competent staff, most of whom are school personnel.

Intended Outcomes:

Prevent onset/experimentation; Reduced use; Improved personal and social skills; More accurate understanding of prevalence of drug use; Improved relationship with parents; Improved awareness of services/help; Increased community awareness.

Program Description:

The Peer Support Program is a voluntary program. Youth are identified and selected to be on the team based on a variety of criteria. A main criterion is a young person's interest in helping others. Youth are provided training in interpersonal and helping skills. Initial training is often done through an experiential retreat. Additional training is offered in issues of relevancy, including conflict resolution, drug prevention and early intervention, suicide prevention, etc. As a youth directed program, issues of relevance to each team's context are identified.

The program model is an outreach program as youth are trained to reach and support their peers. Ideally, the team has representation on all the groups in the school so that in turn team members reach out to all populations in the school. Activities vary depending on the issues identified, the context and the team's abilities and framework (can include: one-on-one support, school-wide activities, such as Random Acts of Kindness, drug awareness week, team-building activities, community activities such as working with homeless people, supporting seniors, and assisting children in the library, to name a few).

Most teams hold regular weekly meetings as a means to monitor the program, offer support and provide ongoing training and group cohesiveness. The peer group often provides a link to an adult when extra support and intervention are required; provides an early intervention and referral process when necessary. The program intends to influence the school/community environment, toward being more caring and supportive where youth feel they belong.

There are approximately 60 teams each year in Calgary and surrounding areas. Teams members range in age from 10 to 17 years of age; elementary, junior and senior high.

Contact Time:

This varies from team to team but the program is ongoing and youth can participate over more than one year.

Agencies Involved in Program Delivery:

The Peer Support Program was developed by the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). The Peer Enhancement, Empowerment, and Resources for Students (PEERS) Society (a non-profit agency that provides an umbrella organization for Peer Support Teams); School boards; Schools; Family and Community Support Services.

Program Costs:

The PEERS Society is currently a United Way funded agency. Dollars received go toward supporting teams with their training and activities. Over and above support from PEERS, teams undertake fund raising and are supported to some extent by the schools. About $7,500/year for team functioning and $10,000/year for the youth conference.

A small amount of dollars are spent on visibility and promotions, including an agency brochure, network support to teams hosting meetings, such as honouraria to guest speakers and hospitality costs, facilitator training and administrative costs such as an annual audit.

Prevention Principles Most Reflected:

1. Addresses protective and risk factors: Develops youth competencies; Creates a caring environment; Identifies issues of concern; Provides meaningful youth involvement.
2. Understands and involves youth: youth are involved in identifying issues relevant to them; youth decide which issues to address and how; promotes healthy youth development.
3. An effective process: group interaction, combine knowledge and skills development.

Year Program Established:

Peer Support Program - 1980's; PEERS Society - 1991.

Contact:

• Ms. Deb Kocay
  Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
  Youth Services Centre
  1005 - 17 Street North West
  Calgary, AB
  T2N 2E5
  Tel: (403) 297-4657
  Fax: (403) 297-4668
  Email: debbie.kocay@aadac.gov.ab.ca