DRUG & ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK IN FULL SWING

Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week is in full swing and you may have seen some
of the signs and messages of awareness around town.

On Monday, NVSS students received free pizza in exchange for answering
questions about drug and alcohol awareness. The lunch hour event was aptly
named, "Food for Thought." Various presentations on the topic were also
given to classes throughout the school.

Elementary classes from Prairiedale, Sinkut View and W.L. McLeod have been
working hard on the liquor store bag campaign. A Public Health Nurse has
been speaking with the students about alcohol and harm reduction messages.

Messages such as "Don't drink and drive," and "Drinking and pregnancy don't
mix," have been applied to decorated bags that are being distributed by the
local liquor store.

"The kids do a beautiful job on the art and it's a nice way for kids to
speak to adults," said Vanderhoof Alcohol and Drug Services Prevention
Worker Lisa Striegler.

Striegler has been responsible for coordinating the various awareness
efforts throughout the week, which culminates in the popular Skating Party
at the Vanderhoof Arena on Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

"The ice time and the hours the arena staff puts in is donated by the
District of Vanderhoof," she said. "It's nice to see that kind of support."

There will be glow sticks and the lights will be dimmed, and there will be
other fun things for kids like stickers. Striegler advises everyone who
wants a glow stick to get there early as they are a hot item.

This is the first year there has not been a provincial theme for the week.
Each town across the province used to send the same awareness message. But
the non profit group called Prevention Source BC, no longer receives
funding to create and administer the provincial theme.

"It's interesting that the government has said that prevention is key, and
yet by cutting funding they are saying that awareness is not important,"
said Striegler. "We need to get out there in the community and spread
awareness. That's how people change their behaviour."