PARTNERSHIP PUTS COUNSELLOR IN SCHOOLS

Finding professional help for addiction and mental health issues
should be a lot easier for Kinistino and Birch Hills teenagers come
next school year.

At the May 22 Saskatchewan Rivers School Division board meeting,
trustees approved a partnership with the Prince Albert Parkland Health
Region, which will see Kinistino and Birch Hills schools share a
health counsellor for students in Grades 8-12.

John Kuzbik, superintendent of schools, said adding the counsellor to
school staff means those rural students will have similar access to
drug counselling as is available in Prince Albert.

"There isn't a greater need (for addictions support in Kinistino and
Birch Hills), but there is a need for support."

Tiffany Olsen, a counsellor with the health region, should begin her
new job with the school division soon.

Kuzbik said the counsellor would probably spend the first while
building trust with the students and providing education before taking
her duties into full swing.

"Then students will likely begin to step forward and say they need
help in areas she's talked about."

Although working under the supervision of the health region, the
schools would co-ordinate Olsen's day-to-day actions.

Kuzbik said the counsellor will work out of offices located in either
school, splitting her time about half-and-half.

He added the program will probably be "tweaked" over time to adjust
for the needs in either community.

Olsen's position will not cost the school district any money other
than for the office space and phone lines.

The position is part of Project Hope, an $18-million three-year
provincial government plan to prevent and treat substance abuse.

Kuzbik is pleased there will be an addictions counsellor at the two
rural schools. He said a service like this is something the schools
have wanted for years.

"We're just thrilled"