Thursday, 12 March 2009

Great new program and I was very excited to read about this in the paper today; we need to invest heavily into prevention programs in the schools and of course, invest in affordable recreation programs (more on that latter)


NEW SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM PREVENTS YOUTH SUBSTANCE AND GAMBLING ADDICTION
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEILeaps and Bounds is a new learning resource for students in grades 4-6 which allows children to explore healthy lifestyle choices and make informed decisions about substance use and gambling. It is part of a new Island health curriculum that emphasizes the value of a healthy life style.
“This is a well-researched, age-appropriate program that helps students acquire valuable life skills while emphasizing the importance of healthy life style choices,” says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Gerard Greenan.
“The beautiful new classroom resource which fulfills specific health curriculum outcomes encourages Island youth to make their own well-informed decisions based on accurate, current information,” he said.
Leaps and Bounds consists of eight lesson plans which cover alcohol and other drug use, gambling and addictive behaviour. Students examine media and peer influence, stress management, refusal strategies, and the significance of supportive relationships, positive role models and healthy self esteem.
Health Minister Doug Currie applauds the introduction of the addiction prevention program in Island schools.
“Education and prevention strategies are as important and effective as substance-abuse treatment,” says Minister Currie. “Research among addiction experts shows that the earlier addiction awareness occurs and the later abuse occurs, the less chance addiction will occur.”
This project is one of many partnership activities associated with the PEI Youth Substance Use and Addiction Strategy. Through community consultation and research initiatives, one of the goals is to build consistent substance use and gambling awareness programming in Island schools.
Both Minister Greenan and Minister Currie encourage parents and care providers to support Island children in this valuable learning exercise. By participating with students in take-home assignments and initiating discussion about the concepts in each unit, parents will increase the effectiveness of the Leaps and Bounds program.

No comments:

  This is me with the late, great Guy Lafleur. He was my first hockey hero. When I was maybe 6-7 years old, my uncle gave me a Guy poster wh...