Hello Edmonton! Since this is my very first post on the Transforming Edmonton site, I suppose a bit of an introduction is in order. My name is Holly and I am a Youth Engagement Coordinator with the Office of Community Safety within Community Services. Some of you may be familiar with the work of Safedmonton and the Fight Violence Campaign. As per the recommendations laid out in the REACH Report (created by the Mayor’s Taskforce on Community Safety), Safedmonton has dissolved and is moving towards becoming a new and exciting community safety coordinating council, hence the temporary title of Office of Community Safety. It’s a mouthful, and a bit confusing, but not to worry – it will make more sense as details around the new council are available!
My job here is really focused on a project through Health Canada. The Integrated Community Approach to Addictions in Edmonton, or ICAAE (ICE-AH as we call it) endeavors to reduce and prevent the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol on youth here in Edmonton. A big task, but with the help of our “Learning Team”, a committee of hard-working people from various agencies, I am tackling a number of exciting projects that I hope to share with you over the coming months!
One project that we have been working really hard on is our Parent Resource Toolkit. Are you are a parent wanting to have a conversation with your child about drinking alcohol and aren’t quite sure where to start? Do you have a younger sibling that you suspect may be at risk of using drugs? Are simply you looking for more information about psychoactive substances? Our toolkit may be able to help.
The toolkit (a popular resource by the name of “It’s Never Too Early… Talk to Your Kids About Drugs & Alcohol”) was originally created by the Edmonton Community Drug Strategy (the ICAAE project’s predecessor). After recent facelift it is now ready to re-launch! This free toolkit delivers more than just the hard facts – it also includes a personal story of hope, what to do if you find drugs, tips on how to talk to kids about drugs and alcohol, and other related contacts for further support. Through funds provided by Health Canada to the ICAAE project, the updated version has also been printed in two additional languages, to make a total of twelve languages now available (languages include English, French, Arabic, Cree, Cantonese, Hindi, Farsi, Mandarin, Persian, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese).
The launch of the updated parent resource toolkit takes place today (Tuesday, January 26, 2010) from 11am to 12:30pm in the Heritage Room at City Hall. This is a free event open to anyone who wants to learn more about the toolkit. Speaking at the launch will be representatives from the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Police Service, community agencies, and a group of youth who have a special message for parents.
The parent resource toolkit is available in print by calling 311 or can be accessed online at www.edmonton.ca/safedmonton.
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