Substance Use and Misuse at School

Elementary

• OPHEA (Ontario Physical Health Education Association) (external link)
  Resource providing programs, services and articles on tobacco, substance use and mental health.
• OPHEA Curriculum Links (external link)
  Lesson plans and teacher and student resources to support the Ontario Health and Physical Education curriculum. Contact school board curriculum consultant for more information.

Elementary & secondary

• A to Z Substance Use (external link)
  An online learning resource designed by mindyourmind with youth aged 14-16 in mind. This plain language resource explores the topic of substance use.
• A New Threat – Youth Video about E-Cigarettes (external link)
  A video developed by Halton Region youth to raise awareness about the tobacco industry and the potential health risks of e-cigarette use.
  • HCDSB Links to Curriculum for "A New Threat" Youth Video (PDF file)
  • HDSB Links to Curriculum for "A New Threat" Youth Video (PDF file)
• Blogs on Alcohol and Teens (external link)
  Covering topics like partying and alcohol in the media, HaltonParents Blog posts reflect everyday experiences, challenges, worries and joys as a parent of teens in Halton Region.
• Blogs on Substance and Teens (external link)
  Covering topics like partying, energy drinks, marijuana and starting high school, HaltonParents Blog posts reflect everyday experiences, challenges, worries and joys as a parent of teens in Halton Region.
• Blogs on Tobacco and Teens (external link)
  Covering topics like smoking in movies, new tobacco trends and how to talk to kids about smoking, HaltonParents Blog posts reflects everyday experiences, challenges, worries and joys as a parent of teens in Halton.
• Burst Your Bubble - Vape Poster (PDF file)
• Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (external link)
• Cannabis Talk Kit: Know How to Talk with your Teen (external PDF)
  Information for parents to help them know how to talk to their teens about cannabis.
• Cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood (PDF file)
• Halton Cannabis Fact Sheet for Schools (PDF file)
• iMinds (external link) (Gr. 6-10)
  A health literacy resource developed for B.C. schools. Includes grade-specific teaching modules that explore the relationship between human behaviour, substance use and mental health.
• Low Risk Drinking Guidelines for Youth (LRDG) (external PDF)
  LRDGs recommend that youth delay drinking alcohol for as long as possible, at least until legal drinking age. Adherence to these evidence-informed recommendations could limit health and safety risks to youth who choose to consume alcohol.
• Not an experiment. Vaping supports. (external link)
• Ontario Student Drug Use Health Survey (external link)
• Ophea teaching tools cannabis resource database (external link)
• Smoke-free Ontario Fact Sheet for Schools (PDF file)
• Vaping fact sheet (PDF file)

Secondary

• OPHEA (Ontario Physical Health Education Association) (external link)
  Resource providing programs, services and articles related to tobacco, substance use and mental health.
  • Lesson plans (external link) and teacher and student resources to support the Ontario Health and Physical Education curriculum. Contact school board curriculum consultant for more information.

Elementary & secondary

• Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (external link)
  Guest speakers, resources and student leadership opportunities to support youth to speak out against impaired driving.
• Tobacco
  Halton Region’s website provides information about tobacco-free living and tobacco regulations.

Treatment and counselling

• ADAPT (external link) (Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Prevention and Treatment)
  Assessment and treatment services for people with drug, alcohol and gambling concerns.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (external link)
  Support services for individuals with an alcohol addiction.
• CAMH (external link) (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
  Website that provides information and services to individuals, family or friends affected by drug and alcohol addictions.
• Drug and Alcohol Helpline (external link) 1-800-565-8603
  24-hour help line providing information and referral for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment services.
• Halton Healthcare Mental Health Services
  Community-based psychiatric assessment, treatment, counselling and case management for clients and their family members.
• Narcotics Anonymous (external link)
  Support services for people with substance addictions.
• ROCK (external link) (Reach Out Centre for Kids)
  Mental health centre for children that offers effective and innovative treatment and therapy, and prevention and early intervention for those having, or at risk of developing, mental health problems or mental illness.

Youth-friendly websites

• Healthy Canada Youth Zone(external link)
  Information on the effects of tobacco to help youth make informed decisions about smoking.
• The Truth (external link)
  Creative videos and facts aimed at providing smokers and non-smokers with the tools to make change and end smoking.

Elementary & secondary

• ADAPT (external link) (Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Prevention and Treatment)
  Assessment and treatment services for people with drug, alcohol and gambling concerns.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (external link)
  Support services for individuals with an alcohol addiction.
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Halton (external link)
  Community service that provides mentoring programs for children to meet the emotional, physical, and social needs of girls and boys in our community.
• CAMH (external link) (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
  Information on mental health and addictions, substance use prevention programs, and clinical services.
• Lions Quest Canada: The Centre for Positive Youth Development (external link)
  Organization that has information and resources on the 40 Developmental Assets®. It provides innovative and well-researched programs, products, training and services for youth, parents, educators, and community leaders to foster positive youth development.
• MADD (external link) (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers)
  Organization that provides support and educational programs to prevent drug- and alcohol-related automobile crashes.
• Our Kids Network (external link)
  A community-based initiative that can assist with coordinating and providing services, resources and support for families, schools and the community.
• Parent Action on Drugs (external link)
  Evidence-based programs and resources for youth, families, professionals and community members on issues that impact substance use and youth.
• Partnership for a Drug-Free Canada (external link)
  Information about commonly used drugs and resources for parents on drug prevention.
• Search Institute® (external link)
  Organization that provides information and resources on the 40 Developmental Assets®.
• TAY Service Coordination (external link)
  The TAY Service Coordination service is a Mississauga-Halton LHIN initiative that provides a monthly place where agency staff come together to problem solve and assist youth who may benefit from an enhanced service plan and to successfully bridge youth into adult services.
• Youth Aiding Youth (external link)
  A community-based program whose goal is to match volunteers aged 16-24, on a one-to-one basis with younger children aged 6 to 10, to promote healthy growth development.
• Youth Speak (external link)
  Presentations by youth on youth-related issues to inspire other youth for positive change.

Elementary & secondary

• ADAPT (external link) (Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Prevention and Treatment)
  Assessment and treatment services for people with drug, alcohol and gambling concerns.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (external link)
  Support services for individuals with an alcohol addiction.
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Halton (external link)
  Community service that provides mentoring programs for children to meet the emotional, physical, and social needs of girls and boys in our community.
• CAMH (external link) (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
  Information on mental health and addictions, substance use prevention programs, and clinical services.
• Lions Quest Canada: The Centre for Positive Youth Development (external link)
  Organization that has information and resources on the 40 Developmental Assets®. It provides innovative and well-researched programs, products, training and services for youth, parents, educators, and community leaders to foster positive youth development.
• MADD (external link) (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers)
  Organization that provides support and educational programs to prevent drug- and alcohol-related automobile crashes.
• Our Kids Network (external link)
  A community-based initiative that can assist with coordinating and providing services, resources and support for families, schools and the community.
• Parent Action on Drugs (external link)
  Evidence-based programs and resources for youth, families, professionals and community members on issues that impact substance use and youth.
• Partnership for a Drug-Free Canada
  Information about commonly used drugs and resources for parents on drug prevention.
• Search Institute® (external link)
  Organization that provides information and resources on the 40 Developmental Assets®.
• Youth Aiding Youth (external link)
  A community-based program whose goal is to match volunteers aged 16-24, on a one-to-one basis with younger children aged 6 to 10, to promote healthy growth and development.
• Youth Speak (external link)
  Presentations by youth on youth-related issues to inspire other youth for positive change.