Courses confront youth
substance misuse

I think my child might have a drug or alcohol problem -- what can I do?

It’s one of the most painful questions a parent can face and there are no easy or
across-the-board answers, says Substance Misuse Counsellor Larry Wozney of New
Westminster.

Wozney explores how to begin dealing with this troubling problem in a workshop
called Working and Living with Youth on February 11 at Douglas College. The one-
day course offers parents and those who work with youth ways to recognize signs of
substance misuse, how to start coping with it, and where to find much-needed support.

“One of the first things people must realize is that things will not change overnight,
says Wozney. “A youth in this kind of situation will test a parent until they are satisfied
that rules are here to stay -- and that could take from one week to 10 years.”

Developing strong communication is a key.

“Confrontation works sometimes, but it’s difficult for most parents to know how to
confront properly. You can lay down the law or make threats, but chances are the youth
will not respond to this,” says Wozney. “It’s a matter of establishing healthy boundaries
and sticking to them.”

Young people begin experimenting with drugs, alcohol, or even substances such as
gasoline sniffing for reasons ranging from peer pressure to family problems. What is
particularly disturbing, notes Wozney, is that children are getting involved at younger
ages.

“Experimentation and usage used to begin around age 11 or 12 but today you’ re
finding kids who are trying things when they are eight or nine years old. It’s not
something you want to be alarmist about, but adults should be aware it is happening.”

The workshop runs 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on February 11 at Douglas College. For
employees and supervisors, Wozney also offers a course on substance misuse in the
workplace on March 11. The fee is $49. For information, call 527-5477. To register,
call 527-5472. ll

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ao a
The following article is reprinted from the Superannuation
Commission's Pension Update (issue # 13 -Q4, 1994) at the
request of the Payroll Department.

 

Alberta Teachers may lose
Reciprocal Agreement

The Superannuation Commission maintains a reciprocal agreement with
many pension plans across the country, among them the Alberta Teachers’
Retirement Fund (ATRF). The agreement with the ARTF is due to expire on
January 31, 1995, and although renewal of these agreements is usually a
matter of routine, the ATRF has unilaterally decided this year to let this
particular agreement lapse. We disagree with this course of action and are
exploring our options to challenge it.

If the agreement does come to an end, we must be able to act quickly on
behalf of all teachers who have pension credit with the ATRF. We have
distributed a letter of information to all employers of teachers in B.C. asking
them to inform their staff of this situation; we are also asking those teachers
concerned to send us their current mailing address, so that we can
communicate promptly and directly with them.

If you have any teachers on staff who have past credit with the ATRF,
have them contact us as in writing as soon as possible, supplying their name,
current home address and current home and office telephone numbers. ff

 

 

Free lecture
series on urban
environment
issues
continues at
College

The Institute of Urban Ecology at
Douglas College continues its public
lecture series to help people in the
community understand and influence
complex urban environmental issues, and
work toward creating a sustainable
society. Speakers include activists,
government representatives, authors and
environmental consultants. Lectures are
free, and take place Monday evenings
from 7pm to 8pm in Room 2203 at
Douglas College, 700 Royal Avenue in
New Westminster. The series runs until
the end of March; the following is a list of
topics to be covered in February. For
more information, contact Val Schaefer at
527-5224.

February 13

Clean Water and Sewage
Treatment: Ending the waste
mentality

Speaker: Miranda Holmes,
Clean-Water Campaigner,
Save Georgia Strait Alliance

February 20

Zero Discharge: The effects of toxins
in our marine environment

Speaker: Catherine Stewart,

Fisheries and Oceans Campaigner,
Greenpeace

February 27

Air Pollution Prevention through
Technological Change and Social
Change

Speaker: Jim McTaggart-Cowan,
Air Resources Branch,

B.C. Environment

March 6

Urban Eco-systems: Designing a
Sustainable City

Speaker: Kevin Connery,
Ecological Plannerll