ANOTHER OUTREACH PROGRAM IN SASK.

A new program to tackle substance abuse among youth is underway in
southern Saskatchewan.

Open Connections, an outreach and intervention project in the Five
Hills Health Region (covering Moose Jaw and south-central
Saskatchewan), is designed to assist youth struggling with a
substance abuse problem or at risk of developing one.

The project is to receive $1.3 million over three years from Health
Canada to help those age 12 to 24 years.

"It is a community-based program to provide outreach and early
intervention services," explained Terry Hutchinson, the region's
mental health and addictions services executive director. "What we're
hoping to do is work with community-based organizations to enhance
their capacity for providing a continuum of treatment and recovery
programs for youths."

A number of community agencies were involved in developing the
program, he added.

"It really is to enhance some capacity to provide some education and
supports to community programs that are already existing out there."

Open Connections will include an outreach component to engage youth
outside of traditional school and clinic settings. The goals include
developing meaningful, trusting relationship with youth and also
equipping them with skills, such as problem-solving, to deal with the issue.

While drugs are often seen as a big city problem, Hutchinson said
there is clearly a need for the service in their area as well.
Problems drugs include alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. "We see in our
region mostly what you'd see in every other region, but alcohol is
certainly the number one priority," Hutchinson said.

The project will target youths in Moose Jaw since it is the largest
centre in the health region, but will look at expanding into other
rural areas within the health region as well.

Although the project was announced on Tuesday, services have been
offered since January.