Addiction Awareness a Yearly Affair

By 250 News

There is a special  program underway in the Prince George area, but it isn't just because of Addiction Awareness week. 

The poster at left, shows not just a message about saying no to drinking and driving, it also features a stylized marijuana leaf, and some "pills". It is spreading the word that  driving sober means more than just keeping clear of booze.

Aaron Bond is a Mental Health and Addiction Case Service Manager with Northern Health.  He says they have launched a special program heading into the holiday season to highlight  the need to stay clear of not just alcohol, but drugs too, "There are so many people who smoke marijuana and drive, this is a chance to talk about designated drivers and the realities of alcohol and drug addictions" says  Bond.

His team has been offering materials like this poster and other, to  bars and clubs throughout town.  He  is hoping local establishments will  offer incentives to those who opt to stay clean and sober during the holiday and weekend partying. 

Posters have been distributed,  and pamphlets and buttons, designed by at risk youth, are  available for  any place or business or where young people gather.  "We want to get the message out to  schools,  shelters, coffee shops, bars and clubs" says Bond. 

The materials have been written by youth to capture the language and style used on the street, and working with the Street Spirits Theater Company, the buttons have gained a new visibility  at the street level.  There are  dozens of different messages, including one that  reads, "Got Meth?" over the image of a grim reaper.

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