School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use

Inventory Template

Section A: Please identify key organizations and individuals at the provincial, district and
school board levels related to prevention of problematic substance use.
What are they doing currently, or have planned in relation to substance abuse
prevention specifically and school health promotion more broadly?
Who are the key provincial and
non-governmental organizations Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling Association of Nova Scotia
involved in School-Based and www.nadaca.ca
School-Linked Substance Abuse
Prevention. Nova Scotia Secondary Schools Students Association
www.nsssa.ca

Nova Scotia Teachers Association for Physical and Health Education

www.nstu.ca (Click on Professional Associations)

Nova Scotia School Counsellors Association

www.nstu.ca (Click on Professional Associations)

Boys and Girls Clubs of Nova Scotia

www.bgccan.com (Click on Clubs, Find A Club)
Ms. Stephanie Simonsen, Regional Director, email: sabs@tru.eastlink.ca

Nova Scotia Federation of Home and School Associations

www.nsfhsa.org

Nova Scotia Health Network

www.nshealthnetwork.ca

Nova Scotia HEP Network

http://www.ccsa.ca/CCSA/EN/Partnerships/HEP
Lynn Mac Neil, HEP Coordinator, email: macneilz@gov.ns.ca

Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation

www.thenslc.com

The NSLC works cooperatively with the Department of Education and provincial
school boards on two main initiatives each year: the Colourful Messages Program
and the Safe Graduation Radio Contest. The objective of the Colourful Messages
program is to create awareness with students in Grades 4 - 9 of the potential dangers
of consuming alcohol while underage. Students are asked to draw messages with
pictures and slogans on NSLC brown paper bags regarding the responsible use of
beverage alcohol. This program focuses encouraging people to 'Plan Ahead to Get
Home Safely' during the holiday season and the NSLC distributes the bags to
customers in NSLC stores on the Saturday before Christmas. Last year
approximately 250 classrooms in 80 schools participated, generating more than
10,000 decorated bags A selection of artwork produced as part of the Colourful
Messages program is reproduced on NSLC paper and plastic shopping bags year-
round.
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
For the past three years, Grade 12 graduating students have been asked
to develop radio advertising messages of interest to their peers with a
focus on responsible use of alcohol. The objective of the Safe Graduation Radio
Contest is to discourage underage drinking and to encourage teens to celebrate this
important milestone safely. Each year, the prize winning advertisement is
professionally produced and aired on provincial radio stations as a public service
announcement. The NSLC awards three cash prizes for the top three entries to
support the schools safe graduation festivities.

Local Committee on Drug Awareness

Local Committees on Drug Awareness operate in many District Health Authorities.

Local Committees are made up of community people who share a concern about
alcohol/other drugs and gambling issues. These committees fill an important role in
their communities in increasing community awareness. Local committees can have
many functions which may include: providing information on issues regarding
alcohol/drugs/gambling prevention and education to the community; informing
community about treatment services; advocating for school drug education
programs; voicing community concerns about alcohol/drugs/gambling issues; and
acting as a liaison between the community and Addiction Services

Each year the committees conduct a number of drug awareness activities

particularly during Addictions/Drug Awareness Week each November. These
activities include presentations, school poster contests, and community recreational
events. Throughout the remainder of the operating year a committee may target one
or more particular community concerns.

The committees work in cooperation with other community agencies and groups
(for example, local police, RCMP, service clubs) who are genuinely concerned
about alcohol/ other drugs and gambling issues. Members of these groups often
serve on a Local Committee. In this way important community links are maintained.

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth Project

www.youthproject.ns.ca

The Youth Project provides support and services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgendered youth, 25 and under, across Nova Scotia. The Project has been
running since 1993 and provides a safe, supportive, youth directed environment
where youth can access information, peers, support, and social activities. The Youth
Project Provides support, education and information to youth, their friends and
families, school, social services, organizations and the community. The Youth
Project provides referrals to numerous professionals including Addiction Services.
The Youth Project offers evening programming including supports groups, speaker
nights and drop in nights. All Youth Project programming is strictly drug and
alcohol free.

Halifax Regional Police

http://www.halifax.ca/police/index.asp (Click on HRP

Departments/Community Relations/School Programs)

Halifax Regional Police have developed and implemented crime prevention and
safety programs for students in the HRP jurisdiction. These programs help develop
a positive relationship between children and police. Educational awareness and
safety programs are taught by officers to elementary, junior high and high school
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
students. Each school has a liaison officer who attends the schools to address school
and student issues. They provide guidance and direction to students, parents and
teachers. These officers provide the opportunity for students to form a better
understanding of the role of a police officer in the community.

Cape Breton Regional Police Department

http://www.cbrm.ns.ca/portal/services/departments/police/default.asp

Who are the key national agencies Health Canada

on this issue? What is their role on www.hc-sc.gc.ca
the issue? Note: I have already
identified Canadian Association on Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
School Health (CASH)
www.ccsa.ca

Canadian Association of School Health

www.safehealthyschools.org

Joint Consortium on School Health

www.jcsh-cces.ca

MADD Canada
www.madd.ca
www.maddyouth.ca
atlantic@madd.ca Susan MacAskill, Atlantic Region

There are eleven MADD chapters and one community leader in Nova Scotia.

MADD Canada’s Youth program reaches thousands of high school and elementary
students in Nova Scotia each year through their two multi-media assembly
presentations which brings drug and alcohol awareness and risk prevention
messages to schools. These presentations, which MADD produces yearly, features
stories of young people, celebrity interviews, clips from major motion pictures, and
a contemporary sound track viewed on 2 giant screens. ACE, aimed an elementary
school students, delivers messages about the brain and how alcohol affects the brain,
the dangers of drinking and diving, and protection from unsafe drivers. In addition
they learn how to handle peer pressure, bullying, plus alcohol and drug use
prevention. Mind Control, intended for high school students, exposes false
perceptions about alcohol, drugs and driving by addressing such topics as peer
pressure, binge drinking and assessing the good judgment of the driver. A
curriculum guide is designed for use after using the multimedia presentation. In the
2006-2007 school year, MADD presented ACE to 4 Elementary/Middle Schools
and Mind Control to 31 High Schools in Nova Scotia.

MADD Canada also uses the Internet, radio and TV ads, posters, national contests
and bursaries to reach out to students of all ages. MADD Canada has developed
victim support services and educational programs, which are appropriate for youth
of all ages. Braking Point is MADD’s new classroom educational tool that targets
and portrays 14-18 year-olds who use and abuse alcohol and marijuana. The
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
educational package and accompanying DVD dramatize real situations of alcohol
and marijuana use as well as risks and consequences of heavy use. Braking Point is
available in English, French or aboriginal versions.

RCMP

www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ns/programs_services/community_policing/index_e.htm

(Click On Drug Awareness)

Nova Scotia's Drug Awareness Service provides programs targeted at a variety of

groups (particularly youth) that focus on the prevention of substance abuse.

D.A.R.E. is a comprehensive prevention education program designed to equip

school children with the skills necessary to recognize and resist social pressures to
experiment with tobacco, alcohol, other drugs and violence. This program sees
specially trained officers deliver school presentations to youth in grades five and six
across Nova Scotia. The ten week course addresses such topics as the dangers of
tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse; developing assertiveness and self confidence; and
dealing with violence, bullying and gang behaviours. D.A.R.E. gives special
attention to fifth and sixth grade students in order to prepare them for entry into
junior and senior high schools where they are most likely to encounter pressure to
use drugs. Since its 2001 introduction in Nova Scotia, the D.A.R.E. program has
grown in popularity. It is currently offered at more than 50 schools by local RCMP
officers who volunteer their time.

Racing Against Drugs is a community-based drug awareness program that uses the
sport of racing to capture the attention of youth while delivering important messages
of prevention and awareness regarding substance abuse. The event gives the RCMP
and numerous community agencies the opportunity to promote healthy and drug-
free lifestyles. Two race tracks and eight other pit stops are assembled and students
rotate through the ten pit stops for ten minute intervals to receive important health
and safety information from community groups. Approximately two weeks prior to
the RAD event students participate in a poster or essay contest and winners are
chosen to participate in a feature race for prizes Racing Against Drugs was
presented to approximately 3, 000 students from 40 schools in 2006-2007.

Several other RCMP programs are in the process of being revised including: the
Aboriginal Shield Program, which is a substance abuse prevention initiative
designed specifically for Aboriginal Youth; Drugs in Sport program, which offers
accurate information about current issues, and legal and health consequences of
drug abuse in sport to youth; and Two-Way Street, which educates parents about
effective ways to discuss drug and alcohol use with their children.

What is the role of the various Nova Scotia Department of Health

government departments including www.gov.ns.ca/health
health, health promotion and
protection and education on this Nova Scotia Department of Justice
issue and who are the key officials
www.gov.ns.ca/just
who should be contacted for this
scan?
Nova Scotia Department of Education
www.ednet.ns.ca

Learning for Life II: Brighter Futures Together is a four year plan developed by the
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
What is the role of school boards,
district health authorities, and other
agencies on this issue and who are
the key leaders who should be
contacted for this scan?
Department of Education with input from education partners from across the
province. The new plan is organized into six main themes. Developing Healthy,
Active Learners is one of those themes, and recognizes that schools have a role to
play in promoting healthy active lifestyles for students. The goal is to help ensure
that students become better, more engaged learners at school and healthier Nova
Scotians for life. To support the government’s goal of healthier students in schools,
new and comprehensive health education programming will be developed and
implemented for Grades P-9. This will include nutrition, safety, addiction
prevention, mental health, anti-bullying and healthy sexuality. New physical
education programming will also be introduced for grades 10-12. For more
information on learning for Life II: Brighter Futures Together go to
www.brighterfuturestogether.ednet.ns.ca
Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection
www.gov.ns.ca/hpp
Active Kids, Healthy Kids is a provincial strategy developed in 2002 and its goal is
to increase the number of children and youth who accumulate at least 60 minutes of
moderate or higher intensity physical activity on a daily basis. The strategy has six
components: Policy and Program Development; Active Communities; Active
School Communities; Public Education and Evaluation and Monitoring. Nova
Scotia will soon launch the renewal of the Active Kids Healthy Kids Strategy. For
more information on the Active Kids, Healthy Kids strategy contact Mike Arthur,
Manager of Physical Activity, Department of Health Promotion and Protection,
Physical Activity, Recreation and Sport at (902) 424-7629 or arthurmh@gov.ns.ca
Addiction Services
www.addictionservices.ns.ca
Addiction Services provides a continuum of care and service spanning health
promotion, addiction prevention, and early intervention and treatment. The focus is
on helping individuals, families and communities with problems created by the
harmful use of alcohol, other drugs and gambling. Addiction Services collaborates
with the District Health Authority as service providers in communities across Nova
Scotia. Strategic areas include: core service identification and program development
and planning; policy, service standards and best practices monitoring; tracking and
auditing system performance; and provincial program development and research.
Nova Scotia has eight School Boards:
Annapolis Valley Regional School Board- www.avrsb.ednet.ns.ca
Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board- www.cbv.ns.ca
Chignecto-Central Regional School Board- www.ccrsb.ednet.ns.ca
Halifax Regional School Board- www.hrsb.ns.ca
South Shore Regional School Board- www.ssrsb.ca
Strait Regional School Board- www.strait.ednet.ns.ca
Tri-County Regional School Board- http://southwest.ednet.ns.ca/TC/LEAS/
Conseil scolaire acadien provincial- www.csap.ednet.ns.ca
There are nine First Nations Schools in seven communities in Nova Scotia.
http://mikmaq-services.ednet.ns.ca/firstnationschools.shtml
Nova Scotia has nine District Health Authorities:
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
Section B: What are recent, current or planned activities that support a comprehensive school
health approach to school-based or school-linked problematic substance use prevention?
Are there statements, guidelines, or
frameworks recommending
comprehensive school health
approaches to problematic
substance use prevention?
Are there laws, policies,
regulations, standards or best
South Shore Health (DHA 1)
SouthWest Health (DHA 2)
Annapolis Valley Health (DHA 3)
Colcester East Hants Health Authority (DHA 4)
Cumberland Health Authority (DHA 5)
Pictou County Health Authority (DHA 6)
Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority (DHA 7)
Cape Breton District Health Authority (DHA 8)
Capital Health (DHA 9)
Nova Scotia District Health Authorities websites can be accessed at
www.gov.ns.ca/health/dha_map.htm
Please include full title, a brief description, name of contact person, and web link if
applicable.
Health Promoting Schools is an approach to school-based health involving a wide
range of programs, activities, and services that take place in schools and their
communities. Health Promoting Schools enhance health education through
community support and partnerships. Health Promoting Schools also creates
supportive environments based on health promotion programs and policies. These
actions are intended to develop over time to strengthen the school community as a
healthy setting for living, playing, working and learning. The Health Promoting
Schools approach helps prepare students, for life, health and learning.
In 2005, the Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Health
Promotion and Protection, as well as school boards and District Health Authorities
supported the development, implementation and evaluation of the Health Promoting
Schools program for Nova Scotia. The Health Promoting School program provides
an overall framework for key school health initiatives in the province including, but
not limited to, healthy eating, physical activity, youth sexual health, tobacco
reduction, addiction and injury prevention in the school setting. The current focus of
the program in most schools is on physical activity and healthy eating. Initiatives
and policies such as the Food and Nutrition Policy for Nova Scotia’s Public
Schools, Provincial Breakfast Program and physical activity promotion in schools
support the Health promoting Schools program. In March 2006, the province’s first
School Health Co-ordinator was hired to co-ordinate all activities of the
Departments of Education, Health Promotion and Protection and Health that address
school health issues, promote comprehensive school health, and support related
initiatives of the Pan-Canadian Joint Health Consortium for School Health. In the
Fall 2006 the Department of Education hired an Active Healthy Living Consultant
and all school boards now have Active Healthy Living Consultants, whose role is to
provide leadership and support for important health education, physical education,
and related active healthy living program initiatives.
In the upcoming year, Health Promoting Schools will continue its expansion to
support a comprehensive approach to school health in Nova Scotia. This expansion
will include the development of an evaluation framework to enable school boards to
make informed decisions regarding expansion beyond healthy eating and physical
activity. In addition, development for a new curricula for Physical education Grade
10-12, Physically Active Lifestyles 11 and a new Physical Education Leadership
course is underway.
Nova Scotia Education Act- Student Conduct (121-127)
http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/statutes/eductn.htm
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
practices related to substance abuse
prevention?
The Nova Scotia School Code of conduct was introduced to schools boards in 2002.
All schools in Nova Scotia now have their own codes of conduct. The School Code
of Conduct comprises of principles, standards of behaviour, identification of
disruptive behaviour, consequences of non-compliance and consequences
specifically forbidden. Its purpose is to set the context for a safe and productive
learning environment by outlining expected behaviour in safe and caring schools. It
also provides a framework for the development and implementation of provincial,
board, and school level discipline policies in reference to guidelines and regulations
under the Education Act, and safe schools initiative. For more information on the
School Code of Conduct, go to
http://www.ednet.ns.ca/pdfdocs/studentsvcs/code_of_conduct/conduct.pdf
School Board Polices Related to Substance Use-Each School Board has its own
policy related to substance use and several boards are currently in the process of
revising their policy. For more information on each School Board’s policy see
below:
Annapolis Valley Regional School Board:
www.avrsb.ednet.ns.ca (Click on Policy Manual/Table of Contents/
Programs and Services # 402.9-Substance Use)
Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board:
www.cbv.ns.ca (Currently being revised)
Chignecto-Central Regional School Board:
www.ccrsb.ednet.ns.ca (Click on Our Board/CCRSP Policies/Education
Services General Policies/ES-G-05 Student Behaviour)
Halifax Regional School Board:
www.hrsb.ns.ca (Click on Quick Links-Policy/School Administration/
B.013 Regional Code of Conduct)
South Shore Regional School Board:
www.ssrsb.ca (Click on School Board/Policies/under Students # 987)
Strait Regional School Board:
www.strait.ednet.ns.ca (Click on Board Information/Policy Manual/
Section 4:Students #IV-C-9)
Tri-County Regional School Board:
http://southwest.ednet.ns.ca/TC/LEAS (Click on Administration/Regional
Policies/Administration-#203.02-Sale or Distribution of Alcoholic
Beverages)
Conseil scolaire acadien provincial : (not available)
Literature Review: Best Practices in School-based Drug Education for
Grades 7-9
A best practice review entitled Literature Review: Best Practices in School-based
Drug Education for Grades 7-9, written by Gary Roberts and prepared for
Department of Health Promotion and Protection, was released in February 2007.
The document reviewed school health and drug education literature (published and
grey) from 1995 to the present, identifying best practices for junior high school drug
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
Describe any curriculum,
instructional materials and
teaching methods related to this
issue?
information in order to inform curriculum supplement development and classroom
teacher practice. A fact sheet featuring the 16 best practice statements on drug
education for Grades 7-9 was also produced. The complete literature review and
fact sheet are available for downloading at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp (click on Addiction
Prevention)
Nova Scotia Department of Education Health Education Curriculum
Health education curriculum in Primary – Grade 6 promotes active and healthy
living as a way of life, not only within the classroom, but also throughout the school
and community. The curriculum is organized under 4 strands: The Body Growth,
and Development; Strategies for Healthy Living; Values and Practices for Healthy
living; and Strategies for Positive Personal Development and Healthy Relationships.
Several key concepts areas are consistent in each grade but offer students new
learning experiences as they proceed for grade to grade. Although addressed
indirectly in earlier curriculum through the concept of Safety, specific discussions
on Tobacco, Alcohol, and other drugs begins in Grade 4 under the concept of
Lifestyle Choices.
Health education in Grades 7-9 also emphasizes active and healthy living as a way
of life. Health/Personal Development and Relationship curriculum outcomes are
organized into four units: My Body, My Self; Lifestyle Choices; Healthy
Relationships and Citizenship.
In Nova Scotia high schools, healthy learning outcomes are addressed in two
compulsory half-credits Career and Life Management (CALM) 11 and Physically
Active Lifestyles (PAL) 11. CALM is a 55hr. course that focuses on growth in
students’ self-knowledge and understanding; strategies for improving students’
personal well-being; the development, maintenance, and enhancement of
relationships; the realities of life/work; wise management of financial resources; and
development of personal action plans leading to living independently and
accomplishing personal goals.
PAL 11 requires students to engage in a variety of healthful, physically active
experiences and to have sound knowledge of the health benefits of these activities.
By the end of the course, students will have had the opportunity to develop personal
responsibility for their own health and physical fitness. This course balances theory
components and activity components.
Curriculum Supplements related to Problematic Substance Use
Prevention
Making a Difference-A Teacher’s Drug Prevention Resource for Health
Education: Grades Primary-6
Making a Difference-A Teacher’s Drug Prevention Resource for Health Education:
Grades Primary-6, is a curriculum supplement developed in 2003 by the
Department of Health, Addiction Services in collaboration with the Department of
Education. This supplement offers a series of three sequential lessons for each
grade level based on prevention theory. Age appropriate factual material is
integrated with skill development and a strong emphasis is placed on helping
students find healthy ways to have fun as an “alternative” to drug use. The
supplement incorporates the following components at each grade level: peer support
and peer influence; relationships with families and friends; self-concept; individual
and social responsibility; decision making and problem solving; influence of the
media and health-enhancing lifestyle development. The curriculum supplement is
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
available for downloading at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp (click on Addiction Prevention)

A Question of Influence-Curriculum Supplement

The Department of Education and the Department of Health Promotion and

Protection have collaborated on the development of an alcohol and other drug
education curriculum for Nova Scotia junior high schools called A Question of
Influence. The curriculum supplement is directly linked to the Health and Personal
Relationship and Development (Health/PDR) curriculum outcomes. The
supplement has been thoroughly researched and is built on current school-based
alcohol and other drug education best practices knowledge. Each Grade Unit in A
Question of Influence is organized into three Learning Themes: 1) How I Influence
Myself; 2) How Others Influence Me; and 3) How I Am Influenced by the World
Around Me. The Learning Themes are designed to be delivered in a total of 6 hours
of classroom time and include student handouts, slides and other written materials.
The curriculum supplement will also be translated into French.

This curriculum resource includes an interactive website, hosted by the Department

of Education that provides Health/PDR teachers with access to the supplement as
well as an orientation to the resource. Teachers may visit the website at any time to
refresh their knowledge, ask questions, and check for updates. The website will be
operational in the near future. For information on the curriculum supplement,
contact Barbara Miles, Coordinator, Prevention and Community Education,
Department of Health Promotion and Protection, Addiction Services at
DrugEducation@gov.ns.ca

Alcohol and Other Drugs-Curriculum Supplement for Career and Life

Management (CALM)

Alcohol and Other Drugs-Curriculum Supplement for Career and Life

Management (CALM) was developed by the Department of Health, Drug
Dependency Services, in partnership with the Department of Education in
1996. The supplement is a collection of lesson ideas and background
information on the topic of alcohol and other drugs. It includes a substantial
amount of support material including worksheets, transparencies and info
sheets. The supplement is designed to be as flexible as possible so teachers
can adapt the material to the interests and needs of the students. The
supplement provides students with the following learning opportunities:
review facts about drugs; explore personal and social consequences of drug
abuse; challenge beliefs and values; synthesize their understanding of
personal and social influences that surround their decisions about drug use;
examine long-term consequences of their decisions; explore drug-related
issues of personal interest; and find out where to go for help with drug
related problems.

Knowledge and Skills For Life

Knowledge and Skills For Life is a primary prevention program for Junior High
Students offered by Addiction Services in DHAs 1, 2, and 3. The program consists
of 10 modules: Tobacco, Alcohol, Cannabis, Gambling, Decision Making,
Communication, Assertiveness/Refusal Skills, Self-Image/Self-Esteem, Stress
Management and Media and Advertising. The learning objectives include: increase
students’ understanding of norms as related to drug use and gambling; increase
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
Describe any health, social or other
services in or near schools that
provide screening, referrals or
crisis response to this issue.
students’ knowledge of consequences of drug use and gambling; and enhance
students’ life skills to better respond to situations involving drug use and gambling.
Knowledge and Skills for Life program is available in both English and French.
P.A.R.T.Y.- Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth
P.A.R.T.Y. stands for Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth. The new
version of PARTY involves a 2.5 hr classroom session which uses interactive
exercises and an award winning DVD by CBC’s Street Cents crew to bring the
message of injury prevention to the students. The DVD engages students with a
realistic and sometimes explicit journey from the scene of a mock car crash, through
the emergency department and intensive care unit and into rehabilitation. The
program is targeted at Grade 10 & 11 students and its goals are to increase students
understanding of the predictable and preventable nature of injuries; acknowledge
that everyone takes risks and they are everywhere; increase students awareness of
how far reaching the impacts of injury are on individuals, families, communities;
empower students to reduce risk in a variety of scenarios; motivate students to
change risk-related behaviors in themselves, or help their friends make changes
through self-reflection. The Nova Scotia Department of Education has endorsed
P.A.R.T.Y. as a resource for its high school career and life management curriculum.
Last year more than 50 high schools and 7,000 students participated in P.A.R.T.Y.
programs. The Nova Scotia version of P.A.R.T.Y. has recently been revised to
address the needs of higher-risk youth and is being offered to Restorative Justice
clients in DHA 9. Currently, Dalhousie University is leading a comprehensive
research and evaluation component that is underway in twelve schools across
Atlantic Canada. The validity survey involves a Pre Test, Post Test (2 days after the
presentation) and Post Tests at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Results should be
available in the Fall of 2008. For more information on P.A.R.T.Y. go to
www.gov.ns.ca/hpp (Click on Injury prevention) or contact Morris Green, Health
Educator at PARTY@gov.ns.ca
Youth Health Centres
There are currently 37 Youth Health Centres (YHCs) operating in schools and
community sites throughout Nova Scotia, with the majority operating at Senior High
Schools. Four major activities of YHCs include providing health services,
providing a youth-centred environment, providing opportunities for youth
development and community involvement, and developing partnerships and
networks. A youth-centred approach means that youth are engaged and participate
meaningfully in all aspects of the health centre, including governance, program
planning and implementation, evaluation, building partnerships and communication.
In 2004, the Department of Health implemented provincial standards for YHCs.
Although the YHCs may vary in their funding sources, staffing complement and
operating hours, these standards ensure a consistent approach among YHCs across
the province and provide a framework upon which YHC’s policies, services and
supports can be developed and measured. Youth health centres provide a range of
services which may include: health promotion, health education, health counseling
and support, clinical services, referrals to other services, building community
capacity to promote youth health and building youth leadership capacity in the work
of the centres. The services are provided in a youth-friendly, non-judgmental,
confidential and culturally competent manner. YHC’s currently operate in all
District Heath Authorities except DHA 1, where they have a committee working on
a needs assessment for the community. Several new YHCs are scheduled to open in
the Fall.
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template

Adolescent Addiction Services

Beginning in 2001, a strategic priority of Addiction Services in Nova Scotia was to

enhance services for several identified target populations, which included rural
youth. Specifically, resources and programs were developed focused on improving
accessibility to services; developing and delivery services that were attentive to and
designed to accommodate the unique needs of adolescents and evaluate these
efforts. Adolescent specific workers were hired in District Health Authorities 1-8.
Adolescent Services offers a comprehensive array of age appropriate programs and
services designed to meet the unique substance-use and gambling related needs of
adolescents ages 13-19. The services include specialized community and school-
based health promotion, prevention, early intervention and treatment programs.
Community based counselling is also available for adolescents and their families.
Trained adolescent staff work in schools throughout all District Health Authorities
except DHA 9. Several programs have been designed to specifically to meet the
needs of adolescents are: Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (DHA 1,2,3),
Adolescent Education Program (DHA 7, 8) and the CHOICES program.

Adolescent Treatment Program

CHOICES Adolescent Treatment Program- CHOICES is a treatment program for

adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 whose involvement with substance use
and/or gambling is having a negative impact on their lives. At CHOICES, a multi-
disciplinary team of experienced, professional staff, in cooperation with the staff of
Addiction Services offices throughout the province and other agencies, provide
young people and their families with caring, well co-ordinated help based on
thorough assessment practices. CHOICES offers a continuum of counseling and
support services. Out-Client Services are offered to adolescents in DHA # 9
(Capital) including drug information groups, individual and family counseling,
evening school, adolescent and parent support groups, parent program, gender
workshops and wilderness programming. The CHOICES Day Program is an
intensive treatment program that serves adolescents from across Nova Scotia, and
on occasion, from the other Atlantic Provinces. Participants may come to the
program each day or be admitted to the 14-bed CHOICES Residence, depending on
their needs. The program consists of school, group work, individual counseling,
recreation/leisure programming and a parent program. All services at CHOICES are
voluntary. CHOICES also partners with other adolescent-serving agencies in formal
and informal ways, as well as to community education and other forms of out-
reach. Program Contact: Jack Godsoe, Program Manager , (902)-470-6300.

www.iwk.nshealth.ca (Click on Care Services/Choices)

Halifax Youth Attendance Centre

The Halifax Youth Attendance Centre addresses the needs of youth at risk by
providing a variety of structured group and individual programs and services. The
Halifax Youth Attendance Centre. It provides one-stop access to programming for
youth under court-ordered community supervision in the Halifax Regional
Municipality. The program is designed for up to 20 youth in the daytime program,
which includes career education/development/exploration program. In addition,
cognitive skills training and recreational programs are delivered, outside school
hours, to additional youth at off-site locations and focuses on issues that lead to high
risk behaviour. The Halifax Youth Attendance Centre fulfills a government
commitment in response to the Nunn Commission of Inquiry.
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
Describe social supports (youth,
parent, community such as peer
programs) related to this issue.
Describe any policies related to a
healthy physical environment that
supports problematic substance use
prevention
Describe any major initiatives,
significant research studies or
research programs related to the
issue.
Several schools across the province have Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD)
chapters including Amherst Regional High School.
Addiction Services offers an array of services to parents or guardians of adolescents
who are harmfully involved with alcohol, other drugs and/or gambling. These
include community-based family counselling and in some District Health
Authorities, parent programs. In DHA 9, CHOICES Out-Client Services offers a
five week Parent Information Program and a weekly Parent Support group. The
Parent Information Program provides basic substance abuse and gambling
information, an introduction to the concepts of harmful involvement and harm
reduction, and an overview of the CHOICES PROGRAM. In addition, the Parent
Program addresses difficulties associated with parenting in today’s society. The
Parent support Group provides ongoing support to parents who have completed the
Parent Information program. In addition, CHOICES offers a one-day Parent
Program for families whose adolescents are involved in the CHOICES Day Program
and/or Residential Services.
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation has produced a 28 page document called, ‘Be
Prepared to Talk to Your Kids about Alcohol'. It is a tool for parents to talk to
children of all ages about alcohol consumption. This publication is distributed and
supported by the Department of Health Promotion and Protection and the RCMP.
Development of Drug Strategy for Nova Scotia
In May 2006, the Minister of Justice announced Nova Scotia government’s
commitment to create a Nova Scotia Drug Strategy, with the Department of Justice
taking the lead in the initiative. In the Fall of 2006, a partnership formed between
the Department of Justice and the Department of Health Promotion and Protection
to move the strategy forward. A draft strategy framework is in the process of being
developed and prevention is one of the four core elements of the strategy.
Nova Scotia’s Alcohol Strategy
Alcohol is such an accepted part of our culture and society that the harms created by
alcohol use are often overlooked. To help address this problem, Addiction Services
in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection
has developed an alcohol strategy to address harmful drinking. (The launch of the
strategy is imminent.) The goal of the Nova Scotia Alcohol Strategy is to:
Prevent and reduce alcohol-related acute and chronic health, social, and
economic harm and costs among individuals, families, and communities in
Nova Scotia.
The strategy is informed by research and features population health approaches
(e.g. prevention programs, social marketing, public policy) and interventions
targeted at the most harmful patterns and contexts of alcohol consumption (e.g.,
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
drinking to the point of intoxication, binge drinking, drinking while pregnant). Five
inter-related strategic directions form the strategy framework.

A key alcohol strategy research project pertaining to the context of underage

drinking will be initiated by Fall 2007. The project will provide insight into how
youth access alcohol, why they consume alcohol, and the context of that
consumption. Rural and urban youth will be engaged in formal and informal
discussions. This qualitative research will also include parents in order to assess
their knowledge of, attitudes towards, and approaches to preventing and/or
addressing alcohol use by their child(ren). Meaningful youth engagement is required
to develop a successful strategy to prevent and/or delay onset of drinking and to
reduce harms when drinking is initiated Youth perspectives on solutions for
addressing underage drinking against a backdrop of best practices will ensure the
development of appropriate and relevant policy, intervention and program strategies.

Nunn Commission

On June 29, 2005, the Nova Scotia government appointed Justice Merlin Nunn to
head a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the release of a youth
offender who was convicted under the Youth Criminal Justice Act as the result of a
fatal car crash. Commissioner Nunn submitted his report, “Spiralling Out of
Control: Lessons Learned From A Boy in Trouble”, which included 34
recommendations. Nine of the recommendations (recommendations 26-34) dealt
with the prevention of youth crime and included: the development of an
interdepartmental strategy to coordinate programs and services for youth;
appointment of senior officials to an interdepartmental steering group to develop
and implement the strategy; more school attachment programs and supports;
enforcement of school attendance; and provide alternatives to out of school
suspensions. The full report can be found at
http://www.nunncommission.ca/media_uploads/pdf/109.pdf

Helping kids Protecting Communities-Response to the Nunn

Commission

The Nova Scotia Government released its response to the Nunn Commission
in January 2007. In the report, the provincial government accepted all 34 of
Commissioner Nunn’s recommendations and has begun the implementation
process. A full copy of the report can be found at the Department of Justice
website: http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/documents/NunnResponse.pdf

Minister’s Task Force on Safer Streets and Communities- In December 2006, the
Minister of Justice announced the formation of a Task Force on Safer Street and
Communities, to look at community programs, government services, legislation and
policing initiatives to identify and promote programs that are making a positive
difference in communities. The Minister's Task Force on Safer Street and
Communities was made up of 25 volunteer community members from diverse
backgrounds including law enforcement, education, health, social services, youth,
rural and urban committees, victims of crime and diverse cultures. The Task Force
consulted with Nova Scotians during February and March 2007. Nova Scotians
were able to participate through online responses, written submissions, and 21
public meetings and 23 focus groups. The Task Force submitted it’s final report to
the Minister of Justice in May 2007 and identified 18 recommended priorities for
consideration in the development of a provincial crime strategy. Key issues
identified during consultation included youth crime and substance use. Several
recommended priorities addressed prevention activities in schools and
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
Section C: What are the recent, current or planned activities that support strengthening of
systems (departments, agencies, schools, professionals, clinics, voluntary organizations) related
to problematic substance use prevention?
Are there any coordinated policies
(inter-departmental, inter-agency,
and interdisciplinary) on this issue?
Are there any formal and informal
mechanisms for cooperation
(agreements, procedures, joint in-
services, joint-planning, joint-
budgeting, etc.) on this issue?
Is there staff time or infrastructure
assigned to facilitate cooperation
on this issue?
Are there any mechanisms in place
to exchange or transfer knowledge
on this issue?
recommended priority # 13 was to reduce the impact of illicit drugs on Nova
Scotians through the development of a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary drug
strategy. The full report can be viewed online at www.gov.ns.ca/just
Please include full title, a brief description, name of contact person, and web link if
applicable.
Comprehensive Youth Strategy (Response to the Nunn Commission)
The Departments of Community Services, Justice, Health Promotion and Protection,
Health and Education are working together to improve services for children and
youth through the development of a comprehensive youth strategy. Early
intervention, family counseling and support to youth at risk will be priorities. These
departments will collaborate on the development of government policy, legislation
and outcomes and create working groups to support collaboration between
departments.
Health Promoting Schools Committees
There is a provincial Health Promoting School Steering Committee and nine
regional Health Promoting School Committees, one for each of the school boards.
These committees typically bring together many service providers in the community
including staff from education, district health authority, health promotion and
protection, public health, addiction services, and law enforcement to name a few.
Youth Health Centre Committees
Each Youth Health Centre is governed by a multi partner Steering Committee,
which may govern more than one centre. Partners may include representatives from
Public Health, Health Promotion and Protection, Education, Mental Health,
Addiction Services, law enforcement, community members. In addition, each
Youth Health Centre has an Advisory Committee which provides advice about the
operation of the centre. The advisory Committee must include a majority youth
membership and Youth Health Centre staff.
Addiction Services in several DHA’s offer workshops targeted at professionals and
community members designed to meet the following learning objectives: to provide
a working knowledge of substance abuse and addiction issues along with strategies
to assist clients and families; and provide a comprehensive overview of prevention,
education and treatment programs provided by Addiction Services. Ex: Addictions
101 offered in Districts 7 & 8. In addition, Addiction Services in DHAs 1, 2, and 3
offers Introduction to Addictions, a two day workshop designed for professionals
and community members several times a year. Based on adult learning principles,
interactive focuses on examining attitudes and beliefs related to Addictions,
prevention strategies and an introduction to services offered.
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
Is there sustained workforce
development (in-service, pre-
service) on this issue?
Are there procedures to identify
emerging issues/trends and
facilitate joint selection of priority
issues?
Is there ongoing monitoring of the
status and capabilities of policies,
programs and practices?
Is there ongoing monitoring of
child/youth health behaviors,
attitudes, skills and other
determinants related to problematic
substance use prevention
Are their periodic needs
assessments, tools or surveys
related to this issue?
Are there plans or processes to
The new Junior High curriculum supplement A Question of Influence will have an
interactive website, hosted by the Department of Education that will provide
Health/PDR teachers with access to the supplement as well as an orientation to the
resource. Teachers may visit the website at any time to refresh their knowledge, ask
questions, and check for updates. The website will be operational very soon.
Addiction Services in District 8 worked in collaboration with the Cape Breton
Victoria Regional Health Board to offer a two day workshop for teachers and
guidance counselors called Workshop on Substance Abuse Prevention: Translating
Research into Classroom Practice. The workshop offered information on current
research and best practices in substance abuse prevention and allowed participants
to network and exchange information. Participants were expected to act as main
communicators/consultants to implement prevention programs for the school board.
As part of the development of each new Youth Health Centre, a needs assessment of
the school and/or community is conducted and issues related to substance use are
included in these needs assessments.
As part of Health Promoting School Initiative, a few school boards have developed
audit tools to assess the needs of a particular school and to help focus their
priorities. Again, issues around substance use are examined as part of this audit
process.
Health Promoting Schools Program currently has a committee working on the
development of an evaluation framework to enable school boards to make informed
decisions regarding expansion beyond healthy eating and physical activity.
Physical Activity Levels and Dietary Intake of Children and Youth in the Province
of Nova Scotia 2005, P.A.C.Y. Study, was conducted by the Department of Health
Promotion and Protection and the Department of Education. The study identifies
the percentage of students that had 60 minutes or more of moderate or vigorous
physical activity at least five times a week. It also include the percentage of Grade 7
and Grade 11 students that met the minimum recommendations from Canada’s Food
Guide for grain products, vegetables, fruit, milk products, and meat and meat
alternatives. Researchers used a random sample of 2,300 students from 80 schools
in grades 3, 7, and 11. Accelerometers, body-mass index measurements and
questionnaires were used to determine activity, fitness, eating, and activity habits.
The province will use the data to improve policies and programs that will provide
more opportunities for the province’s young people to be active and eat well. A
number of general recommendations as well as specific ones for various settings
have been developed based on the study findings. The full report can be found at
www.gov.ns.ca/hpp
The Nova Scotia Student Drug Use Survey is a province-wide survey of students in
the public school system in grades 7, 9, 10 and 12. The survey has been conducted
in 1991, 1998, 2002 and 2007 and is part of a co-ordinated Atlantic Canada
initiative. The survey is administered to students in randomly-selected classes
throughout Nova Scotia. Participation was anonymous and confidential. The survey
requests information on the following: demographics; social environment; substance
use; associated risk behaviours and problems; help seeking; gambling; mental health
and school drug education and rules. The 2002 Nova Scotia Student Drug Use
Survey can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp (Click on Addiction Prevention). The
results of the 2007 survey will be available in the Fall of 2007.
School-Based and School-Linked Prevention of Problematic Substance Use Inventory Template
support sustainability, evolution
and evaluation of programs,
policies, etc?
Please add any additional
information you feel is relevant
that hasn’t been covered
Youth Running for Fun Program is sponsored by Doctors Nova Scotia, the
professional association for all physicians in the province. The running program is
offered at no cost to schools at all levels in the province. The majority of
participants are at the elementary level. The program is in its 3rd year and is
expected to exceed 8,000 participants from 130 schools. The program is designed to
be fun for all participants, regardless of their fitness level and a coach’s handbook is
provided to teachers which contain all the information needed to implement the
program. Participants start off at a distance of 2 Km and build to the final distance
of 4.2 km. There is a very popular youth run sponsored by Doctors Nova Scotia at
the Blue Nose International Marathon held in Halifax in May. For more
information on the Kids Running for Fun program go to the Doctors Nova Scotia
website at www.doctorsns.com or contact Kerry Copeland , Youth Running
Program coordinator at (9020 468-8935 Ext. 278 or e-mail:
kerry.copeland@doctorsns.com