SCHOOL BOARD HELPS ALOUETTE ADDICTIONS HIRE NEW WORKER

Alouette Addictions and the local school board have taken another step
in preventing teen drug use with the hiring of a third youth
prevention worker, ensuring all six secondary schools in the district
have access to Alouette's services.

The organization has hired Dawn Taylor, a Maple Ridge woman, to
connect with students, make presentations on drug use and give
referrals to Alouette's Think Together (T2) program, a new initiative
aimed at helping youth get off the road to addiction.

Taylor will predominantly be working at Garibaldi and Thomas Haney
secondary schools, which previously had no prevention
representation.

Ron Lawrance, executive director of Alouette Addictions, said having
more complete access to local youth will make prevention strategies
more seamless.

Alouette started with one full-time worker, Robb McGirr, just over a
year ago, later splitting the job into a part-time, two-person gig
with the addition of Jerome Bouvier.

Having Taylor around will make things that much easier, he
said.

"They're the expert in the system that other professionals can go to
to get materials, get advice, get education," he said.

He will be speaking with the principals of the two schools to
determine their specific needs.

Taylor is due to start Monday.

Her career history is extensive, presently working as an outreach
worker at a reconnect program in Crescent Beach but with time spent
working in corrections and the national parole board, as well as
leadership and substance abuse training.

After a long search for the right person -- Lawrence said he was
beginning to worry about finding someone -- Taylor was the perfect
solution when she was hired last week, after entering Alouette for
more information on T2.

"The kids are going to love her," Lawrance said.

The position is funded by a partnership between the school board and
Fraser Health.

School trustees voted during the budget process to set aside a portion
of money to help.

"The school board has been really supportive," Lawrance
said.

School board chair Cheryl Ashlie said the extra support will be a
benefit to schools.

"From a board perspective, this is really great for us because it was
something identified by the schools, by the parents and those who
provide services," she said.

The relationship between Alouette and the school district is a good
one, she added.

"We do hear the anecdotes, what Robb [McGirr] is doing in the
schools."

Lawrance is keeping records of all of Alouette's contact with youth in
the community, Ashlie said, in an effort to track progress which will
be shared with the school board.