Youth Substance Use Services, Health Promotion and Prevention
In partnership with Tri-Cities schools and community, the Youth Substance Use Services Health Promotion program provides free prevention and health promotion initiatives that assist in identifying and changing personal and environmental factors that influence youth and support them in adopting and enhancing healthy behaviours, attitudes and connections to family and community. Prevention services include, but are not limited to: Brief screening/ referrals/consultation; committee work; groups; youth lead special events; presentations; professional training; and community development work.
Health Promotion/Prevention seeks to increase drug literacy, enhance skills and competencies that protect against problem use, delay early onset of first use and reduce harms associated with use. This program is informed by best practices and current research in prevention/health promotion, which supports building the capacity for the resilience that already exists in youth. Our focus is on three main protective factors to build capacity:
- Caring, connected relationships within which they feel a sense of belonging;
- Opportunities to participate and contribute in the lives of others and their community;
- Developing high self-expectations and personal standards (connection to aspirations, commitments, core values, what matters most, what I stand for…)
The above two converge to support youth in:
The resiliency approach is developmental and the focus is not on risk but on learning and modelling.
This program is funded by the Fraser Health Authority.
How to get more information:
How to get more information: Please call the program supervisor at 604.937.6990
Location: This program provides services in SD43 middle and high schools as well as the Tri-Cities community.
Office hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am-4:30pm *Hours May Change*
Who qualifies for service:
Youth aged 12-24 and their families concerned about their own substance use or the substance use of someone close to them.
Clinical Counselling
SHARE’s Youth Substance Use Services program provides free, confidential counselling for youth aged 12-24 and their families who have concerns about their own or someone else’s substance use.
The program provides a wide range of services: individual, family and/or group counselling, referrals for other services including detox and live-in/ residential treatment, substance use information, education, parent groups, and prevention and health promotion services for schools and the community.
We believe that substance use affects all walks of life and that problematic substance use is the result of a complex interaction between biological, psychological, spiritual, and social factors unique to each individual. We offer a supportive atmosphere, where youth are invited to explore drug and alcohol-related issues and consider options for a healthier lifestyle.
This program is funded by the Fraser Health Authority.
How to get more information:
How to get more information: Call the intake worker at 604.937.6969 or email intake@sharesociety.ca
Location: 2615 Clarke Street
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am -9pm, Friday 9am-3pm
Who qualifies for service: Youth aged 12-24 and their families concerned about their own substance use or the substance use of someone close to them.
Resources for Parents/Caregivers Concerned about their Youth and Substance Use
Websites *Some of these websites are directed towards youth themselves and others are good for parents as well.
foundrybc.ca - Resources to help youth identity & understand signs of mental distress
keltymentalhealth.ca - Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre (can search “quick reference sheets”)
heretohelp.bc.ca - BC Partners for Mental Health and Addiction Information
familysmart.ca – Child and youth mental health resources for parents, youth and professionals
keepconnected.searchinstitute.org – Search Institute Resource for Parents/Families
handinhandparenting.org – Research-based parenting by connection approach with articles, podcasts, lessons.
teenmentalhealth.org – Resources for adults and youth
ccsa.ca - Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
cisur.ca – Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (at the University of Victoria)
mcs.bc.ca – McCreary Centre Society (BC Youth statistics from the Adolescent Health Survey)
youthinbc.com – Youth Crisis Line/Chat
Short Guides
Recognizing Resilience: A Workbook for Parents and Caregivers of Teens Using Substances – Vancouver Island Health Authority
Cannabis Talk Kit: Know How To Talk With Your Teen – Health Canada
Talking Pot with Youth: A Cannabis Communication Guide for Youth Allies
The Road Ahead: Guidebook for Parents of Young Teens
Cannabis and Youth: A Parent’s Guide - BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information
Substance Use and Young People: A Guide for Families and Their Caring Communities
Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research – The Art of Motivation Guide
Books
Staying Connected With Your Teenager: How to Keep Them Talking to You and How to Hear What They’re Really Saying – Michael Riera
Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain – Daniel Siegel
Hold on To Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers - Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Mate
The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired - Daniel Siegel & Tina Payne-Bryson
Videos on Substance Use, Addictions, Adolescence
Talking With Youth About Substance Use: Paying Attention-Relationship or Behaviour
The above video as well as many other amazing videos youth mental health/parenting can be found by clicking on “ library” on the FamilySmart website
The Nature of Things: The Downside of High
Everything You Know About Addiction is Wrong – Johann Hari Ted Talk (15 mins)
The Teenage Brain Explained - Sci Show (10 mins)