Alberta Health Services is looking to bring attention to substance abuse and problem gambling with a number of events taking place across the city.
National Addictions Awareness Week runs from November 25th to December 1st. AHS’ goal for the week is to highlights prevention, increase understanding of the stigma associated with substance abuse and addiction and show the impact it has on people affected by it.
The events taking place across the city during awareness week and throughout the holidays are listed below:
November 25th to January 7th- Safe and Sober campaign pledge trees will be set up at the Salvation Army, Northern Addictions Centre, Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association and ACT Medical. People are invited to sign and hang up small cards on a pledge tree, promising to make responsible choices over the holiday season.
November 25th to December 1st- Local liquor stores will participate in an awareness campaign by handing out National Addiction Awareness Week cards promoting the theme Stigma Ends With Me.
November 27th- An addiction awareness week workshop called With All Our Relations will be run by the Northreach Society and the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre. It will look at the experiences of Indigenous people and substance abuse.
The event is open to people 16 and up, and includes lunch. Registration is limited to 30 participants. To register, call Audrey at Northreach Society at 780-538-3388. It will take place at the Grande Prairie Museum Community Room on 101 Avenue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
November 27- Mocktails will be served in the Grande Prairie Regional College concourse near the entrance to the Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre. Planning committee members will offer samples and recipes for non-alcoholic options for holiday festivities, as well as information on responsible hosting. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
November 22, 26 and 27- Northwest Peace Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Network will be giving presentations at the Duncan First Nation, Gift Lake Metis Settlement and the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. All presentations are open to the public.
