Keeping Moose Jaw youth informed and aware of the dangers of substance abuse is an ongoing responsibility. Luckily, members of our community continue to go above and beyond in meeting the challenge.
“We’re celebrating National Addiction Awareness Week and creating awareness in communities about the harms of addiction and the helps that are available,” Addictions Week committee planner Jen Angus told the Times-Herald.
Members of the community were rewarded Monday during the annual Addictions Awareness Luncheon, to showcase and highlight to continuing support they offer the community in education and awareness of substance abuse.
Before the awards ceremony, five student contestants were rewarded for winning a city-wide poster competition, with recipients receiving gifts. “We had a poster competition with Grade 6 and 7 students with the five winning posters for display," Angus said.
Students from Sunningdale School were also present to showcase their knowledge and understanding of substance abuse, with an impromptu game ofJeopardyduring the event, to let the community members and volunteers know the Awareness Week is working.
“We don't require the recognition, but of course it’s nice. We do what we do for the safety of the children," award recipient Ray Francis, a paramedic and director of community relations and training with the Moose Jaw and District EMS said. “But a lot of work and energy goes into the PARTY program that we provide twice a year to the high school students of Moose Jaw.”
Fellow recipient, Moose Jaw Police Service Community and Safety Unit member Const. Shawn Mohle believes it’s continuity that drives the message home to students about staying out of harms way. “It’s continous, you have to keep going back there to educate people and make it worth while.
“I’m very honoured and grateful, but I have to thank the drug strategy for giving me the honour and my police service for giving me the opportunity to do this position — and most importantly the students who I get to talk to every day.”
Don Berg, Prairie South School Division superintendent, said the lunch recognizes the work being done through the Moose Jaw South Central Drug Strategy in the area of addictions for the region.
For more on this story pick up the next issue of the Times-Herald.
