DALLAS SOCIETY COUNSELLOR HOPES TO HELP TEENS DEAL WITH TEMPTATIONS OF
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Sandy Slovack does not consider herself the person who can save teenagers
from abusing drugs and alcohol in Sooke, but she is here to listen and help.

"There is quite a drug concern in the community. With the size of the
community, and the isolation, it makes sense there is a high risk for
drugs. It's being identified in the community as a problem," she said.

Slovack works for the Dallas Society youth and family services, and has
come to Sooke from her downtown office once a week since January, after
being approached by the local Teens At Risk group.

She spends her Thursdays in Sooke, rotating between Edward Milne community
school, Journey middle school, and the Sooke Neighbourhood House.

She hasn't been overworked with referrals yet, but she said the Sooke
assessment hasn't been complete.

"It's too soon to tell if it's working and whether our service is being
utilized as well as it could be," she said.

Slovack has provided youth and concerned parents who have been effected by
substance abuse with counselling and support.

"We want more people aware that this service is provided," she said.

With school just about over for another year, Slovack said she will
reevaluate the Sooke service over the summer, and determine whether it is
required in the fall.

"If people want the service to continue, we'll continue to make that
happen," she said, adding the service will continue throughout the summer,
although not as regularly.

Slovack said her support for Sooke youths cannot be the end all solution to
a drug problem in Sooke.

"It needs community involvement. A counsellor coming out one day a week
won't be the special magical bullet. The whole community is going to have
to get it together to figure out a solution," she said. "It's unreasonable
to ask someone from outside the community to come and fix it."

Edward Milne community school behavior support teacher Janine Brooks said
Slovack has done a tremendous job since coming to Sooke.

"She helps to create healing in the school and community," she said.

Brooks, who is on the committee for Teens At Risk, said Slovack gives
youths a much better chance of finding the help they need rather than
having to go downtown.

"I like the fact these services are now available in the community, and in
our schools," she said. "I hope it keeps going. It's making a difference."

Sooke school trustee Margot Swinburnson, who is the chair of the Teens At
Risk committee, said she was also glad to see the program in Sooke.

"It's a risky time, the teenage years, and if we can help in any way,
that's wonderful," she said.

Dallas Youth & Family Services offers a wide range of services aimed
towards youth who are facing multiple problems including substance misuse,
and problem gambling issues. It also offers support services to parents and
other family members effected by the substance misuse of a youth in the family.

Slovack's will be at Journey middle school May 24 and June 21, at Edward
Milne community school June 7, and the Sooke Neighbourhood House on May 31,
June 14, and June 28.

Slovack said to make a referral, call her at 721-2669, extension 0, and
make sure to specify you're requesting a Sooke appointment.