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AADAC brings awareness, counseling to addictions
Patrick Keller
Lakeside Leader
Change is possible, according to local AADAC offices. The local branch of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission is again focusing it efforts on mitigating the harmful effects of addictions during National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW).
The program, which runs from Nov. 16 to 22, began in 1980 in Atlantic Canada, and was then known as Drug Awareness Week. In 1985 the DAW became a Canada-wide event.
Since that time it has grown to include alcohol and in 1994, it took on the issue of gambling as well.
Slave Lake’s AADAC chapter is doing its part in the fight, by including counseling, public outreach and more.
“We do have a lot of clients,” says AADAC’s Mona Johnson. “Aside from counseling, we do in-patient and out-patient referrals and are involved in public education in the workplace and schools.”
AADAC has a place in many local community initiatives, including KidSport, the Boys and Girls Club, Outback Power Pack and Slave Lake Adult Education.
As part of National Addictions Awareness Week, the group is again sponsoring the “Sober Walk” to be held on the Nov. 21.
“We meet in front of the Sawridge Plaza at 11:15 a.m. and walk to the Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre,” said Johnson. Other initiatives include distributing informative place mats to restaurants and a Family Fun Day which happens during the annual craft sale.
“We are trying to focus on developmental assets,” said Johnson. “By using fun activities, we try to instill good values, and create good little humans!”
Determining if the programs are actually working is another story, but in recent years AADAC has started analyzing the data.
“(The success of) prevention is probably the most difficult to measure,” said Johnson.
“What we have determined is that certain types of prevention don’t work, such as using scare tactics.” Johnson cited previous attempts at public education that now appear out of touch with reality, particularly in school settings. “We found that the majority of people, especially students, are not involved with drugs or alcohol,” said Johnson, suggesting that programming targeted at the whole of the student body became less effective when it could not be corroborated by the students themselves.
During National Addictions Awareness Week, AADAC’s goal is to provide information and promote activities that generate awareness of substance and gambling issues while celebrating healthy choices.
“NAAW has become an avenue for effectively mobilizing communities in working together towards a common goal, as well as strengthening a partnership of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal professionals working in the area of addictions,” said Johnson. “NAAW is a time to celebrate the joy of an addictions-free lifestyle.” It’s time to get involved!
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