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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Lung Association (external link)
  Website for individuals, teachers and students about lung health and tobacco smoke.

Secondary

• 'Cycles' (external link)
  Educational resource for high schools based on a research project conducted at the University of British Columbia, School of Nursing. The film can support dialogue about decision making and marijuana use.
• 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

• Canadian Standards for School Based Prevention (external PDF)
  The School-based Standards are a national resource designed to empower program delivery within schools.
• Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (external link)
  Guest speakers, resources and student leadership opportunities to support youth to speak out against impaired driving.
• Smoke-Free Movies (external link)
  The Ontario Coalition for Smoke-Free Movies website discusses the impact that smoking in movies can have on young people’s decision to use tobacco products. Find out how to join the campaign.
• 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.
• Narcotics Anonymous (external link)
  Support services for people with substance addictions.
• Halton Healthcare Mental Health Services
  Community-based psychiatric assessment, treatment, counselling and case management for clients and their family members.
• 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.
• Xperiment.ca (external link)
  Students can test their knowledge of weed behind the wheel, and go to the lab to learn the effects of recreational substances.

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.
• Council on Drug Abuse (external link)
  Organization that sponsors preventative alcohol and drug education programs in schools.
• Halton Regional Police Services (external link)
  List of drug education programs for children from kindergarten to grade 8 run by Halton Regional Police Services including B.R.A.V.O.
• 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.
• 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.
• The Posse Project (external link)
  A peer outreach support service run by youth for youth living in North Halton. The group aims to support and encourage safer decision-making in reducing the risks associated with drug use, sex, homelessness, violence and discrimination.
• Partnership for a Drug-Free Canada (external link)
  Information about commonly used drugs and resources for parents on drug prevention.
• 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.
• Search Institute® (external link)
  Organization that provides information and resources on the 40 Developmental Assets®.
• Youth Speak (external link)
  Presentations by youth on youth-related issues to inspire other youth for positive change.
• 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.

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.
• Council on Drug Abuse (external link)
  Organization that sponsors preventative alcohol and drug education programs in schools.
• Halton Regional Police Services (external link)
  List of drug education programs for children from kindergarten to grade 8 run by Halton Regional Police Services including B.R.A.V.O.
• 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.
• The Posse Project (external link)
  A peer outreach support service run by youth for youth living in North Halton. The group aims to support and encourage safer decision-making in reducing the risks associated with drug use, sex, homelessness, violence and discrimination.
• Partnership for a Drug-Free Canada
  Information about commonly used drugs and resources for parents on drug prevention.
• 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.
• Search Institute® (external link)
  Organization that provides information and resources on the 40 Developmental Assets®.
• Youth Speak (external link)
  Presentations by youth on youth-related issues to inspire other youth for positive change.
• 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.