SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM OFFERS COUNSELLING THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER

Summerland's alcohol and drug education program is gearing up for summer.

Newly appointed counsellor Jody Meyer said the Summerland Asset
Development Initiative program was created to pick up where school
programs left off.

"Programs usually run on a 10-month calendar with the school system
so it's no wonder that everything dries up," said Meyer. "But in
response to this issue, the organization hired me to be available in
a full-time capacity."

The alcohol and drug education program is free of charge and services
include educational presentations for parents and community groups,
as well as one-on-one counselling services for youths and their families.

The new program is designed for youth and families to utilize
counselling offered throughout the summer and Meyer said family
support is key to youth overcoming addiction.

"It is very important if a young person has a family intact then that
the family needs to be involved," said Meyer. "The family is a
support system and needs to be involved in the healing process."

Meyer, who has been counselling families for eight years, including a
four-year stint in Penticton working with a non-profit organization,
said the summer period sees an increase in binge drinking and the use
of marijuana among youths and it is vital to provide services at this
time of the year.

"Kids come in with these problems and you have to be able to deal
with them," he said.

While the program offers substance abuse counselling, Meyer said it
also deals with other issues facing young people and their families.

"We aren't just dealing with alcohol and drugs, we are dealing with
family problems too."

Over the past few months Meyer has worked with the RCMP, Drug
Education Task force, parents and the community to promote drug
awareness and action and said community involvement was key to
getting the program up and running.

"It was a community initiative," said Meyer. "And all the funding has
been provided by local business and organizations.