RESULTS OF YOUTH RISK ASSESSMENT AVAILABLE

The youth survey indicates that 57 per cent of students feel Williams
Lake has laws and norms favorable toward drug use (risk); 59 per cent
of youth reported parental attitudes favorable toward antisocial
behavior and drugs (risk); 53 per cent of students reported a low
level of commitment to school (risk); 37 per cent of youth became
involved in antisocial behavior and drug use at an early age (risk);
and 48 per cent of students feel that there are rewards for pro-social
involvement in the community (protective).

The report states that a significant number of students have high
levels of protective factors (60 per cent). Youth reported that
schools are doing a very good job at providing both opportunities and
rewards for pro-social involvement and that there are also lots of
opportunities for pro-social involvement in the community.

"The CTC process and this report in particular gives us an objective
method for identifying and prioritizing risk factors for youth in our
community," says Burrill. "The data we have collected here gives us
the most comprehensive picture that we have of the issues that affect
our youth, and the strengths and challenges in our community. This
will be an important guide for us in working together to create a
better place to raise our children."

Results of the youth risk assessment study were presented to City
council on Feb. 9 and to the School District 27 board on Feb. 25, says
Sundahl. The complete report, including the youth survey, is available
on the City web site at www.williamslake.ca by going to the city hall
tab "what's new."

In October 2009 the CTC committee also hosted a youth engagement
workshop in conjunction with the Imagine Our Future initiative,
Sundahl says. A total of 40 youth in grades 9 through 11 participated
in the project. The students created 10 digital stories about how they
see their future in Williams Lake along with videos. These productions
can be viewed on the Williams Lake Imagine Our Future web site at
www.imagineourfuture.ca