Substance Abuse Prevention Project

Substance Abuse Prevention Project – "Drugwise Parents"

The Substance Abuse Prevention Project: Drugwise Parents was a successful project for the Canadian Home and School Federation and the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation. Parent information sessions were held across the Island with professionals presenting information on what is happening in the area of substance abuse both locally and nationally. The provincial Federation urges Local Home and School Associations to continue organizing these types of information sessions to remain current as new information is made public.

Feedback was very positive:

• "We want to hear more and feel that every parent in PEI should hear this information."
• "Most parents were "blown away" with the information and not aware."
• "About 50% of parents had no idea what is happening…in their communities; another 50% had some knowledge and were seeking more information, resources and tools."
• "Our students need to be aware of what’s out there and the side effects; Grades 5 and up."
• "The session was well done! We were happy to organize this presentation for parents."

Parent information sessions were held in thirteen locations with thirty-seven schools participating schools across Prince Edward Island from October 10/06 to May 15/07. Speaker professionals included: Jeff Jardine, Pharmacist, Margie Campbell, Pharmacist, Cst. Gary Clow, City Police, Cpl. Reg Campbell, RCMP, Cst. Scott Lundrigan, RCMP, Sean Morrison, Addictions Counsellor, and Michael Doiron, Addictions Counsellor. Host schools included: Lucy Maud Montgomery Elementary, Stonepark Intermediate, Englewood Consolidated, Charlottetown Rural High, Colonel Gray High, Morell Regional High, East Wiltshire Intermediate, Three Oaks Senior High, Gulf Shore Consolidated, West Royalty Elementary, Souris Area Schools (all levels), Parkside Elementary, Dundas Consolidated.

Since the writing of this report, the PEI Francophone Parents Association confirmed a meeting to discuss the SAP project. All French kits will be distributed to this group for distribution to PEI French schools. On Dec. 7, 2007, the Francophone meeting took place. This group is interested in organizing parent information sessions. The PEI Home and School Federation offered to assist with setting up these meetings with professionals and guidance to obtain the best resources for parent participants.

Shirley Jay, Project Coordinator