B.C. has announced the expansion of drug- and substance-use prevention supports in schools across the province.
Minister of Health Josie Osborne was at Lake Trail School in Courtenay Sept. 11, to reveal more support an existing program aimed at building resilience and preventing early substance use and mental-health challenges in youth.
The PreVenture program targets students aged 12-18 to develop skills to tackle common challenges such as peer pressure and interpersonal conflict which are key factors in helping to prevent early drug and substance use and mental health challenges.
“I’m thrilled to be here today to announce our government is providing $2 million of funding to expand and to help the substance abuse prevention supports in schools through Foundry,” said Osborne. “It’s an expansion of a program that is already running in other communities, in other schools.”
PreVEnture is already running in more than 80 schools in 20 different school districts across the province.
“The results of the program ability speak for themselves. It’s proven effective in reducing the initiation of substance use by up to 80 per cent. It also has helped reduce anxiety and depression and suicidal thoughts. Educators are telling us that thanks to PreVenture, students are feeling more connected, confident and better prepared to handle life’s challenges.”
