Pubdate: Sun, 07 Dec 2003
Source: Burlington Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Burlington Post
Contact:  http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/bp/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1528
Author: Jason Misner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PHONE ME CARD WILL HELP YOUTH

It's late, perhaps really late, and the friend who drove you and your 
buddies to a party is too drunk or too high, and can't get behind the wheel 
to take you home. Or you've found yourself in a tough bind and you need 
help or guidance getting out of it.

What do you do?

Halton Region's health department has a unique idea that simply requires a 
young person's trust in a peer.

Called the "phone me card," it's the size of a regular business card that 
you give to someone you respect -- a parent, aunt, uncle or older sibling 
- -- who writes in their name and phone number on the back.

You can pull it out of your wallet or pocket to call that person for a ride 
to get home safely, or advice to deal with an unsafe situation -- without 
judgment.

The glossy card, purplish in colour with a psychedelic design, reads, "Call 
me if you need help, anytime, anywhere -- no lecture, no hassles."

"It's one way for parents or adults to give a message to youth in their 
life that if things go bad and you need help, I can pick you up," said 
Josee Coutu, manager of the injury, violence and substance abuse prevention 
program with the heath department. "It's a meaningful gesture to give to a 
youth -- I am here for you."

Just as important as getting home safely, the phone me card will hopefully 
help a young person establish and keep a trusting relationship with a peer, 
creating a domino effect of positive benefits in life.

"We're optimistic it's another way for opening a channel for discussion," 
said Coutu, noting the card would make for a great Christmas stocking 
stuffer. "We know caring adults and caring relationships are assets that 
can help a youth succeed."

The card concept was developed by the Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership 
(ODAP), which consists of health and education agencies funded by the 
Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.

The region has 200 phone me cards to be distributed by public health nurses 
to students across the region in Grade 7 and up, if requested.

The card program -- which started during drug awareness week in November -- 
is also being encouraged by the region given the results of a recent drug 
use survey by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

It found approximately 29 per cent of Ontario students reported being a 
passenger in a car at least once in the past year with someone who had been 
drinking, and 23 per cent with a driver who was using drugs.

Coutu said the statistics likely mirror the trends in Halton youth, and 
must be taken seriously.

For more information, call the region at 905-825-6000.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman