Pubdate: Sat, 20 Nov 2010 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2010, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Jenn McGarrigle NEW EFFORTS AIM TO FIGHT ADDICTION Addictions issues are about to get more attention in Nanaimo. The Nanaimo Addiction Foundation recently received more than $300,000 to give to agencies providing addictions services in the community. It plans to become a long-term, grant-distributing organization working to raise money and awareness in the community. "I think it's needed in Nanaimo," said president France Tellier. "Most agencies don't have fundraising abilities." The foundation formed in 2006 on the recommendation of the Nanaimo Alcohol and Drug Action Coalition - a group made up of government representatives and service providers. It became a registered charity in 2007, but without seed money, the organization could not do much in its early years, said Tellier. The foundation will now do two things each year - it will organize some sort of an education project and distribute money to agencies delivering addictions services. To ensure the sustainability of the group, the funds distributed were set at $30,000 per year for the next five years, but Tellier said the board plans to try to raise matching funds every year. The first awareness event - an education forum on youth addiction issues - is scheduled for Feb. 23. John Horn, the city's social planner and a member of the committee formed to decide how the money is spent, said the grants will fund projects that respond to immediate needs in the community, but are not necessarily the "oetested and true" initiatives that would receive government funding. The foundation can choose to fund initiatives that try out new and innovative ways of dealing with addiction issues, he said. "We're trying to tap into the creativity of the community," said Horn. The seed money - $303,577 - comes from the ADAPT Society, a volunteer organization that helped young people with substance abuse issues until it dissolved in 2008. The money went to the foundation because when a non-profit dissolves, it must give whatever money remains in its coffers to a like-minded charity. The foundation launches its first funding allocation schedule on Thursday (Nov. 25) at 7 p.m. at the Nanaimo Golf Club and the public is invited. Geri Sera, executive director, said this year's money will be given to programs supporting youth aged 12-18. The foundation is asking agencies from Parksville to Lady-smith to present ideas for projects and the money will be handed out next spring. "We're waiting for the proposals from agencies to identify for us what is a priority," said Sera. Service providers in Nanaimo agree more funds for youth addiction programs are needed. Carrie Morris, program coordinator for Discovery Youth and Family Substance Use Services, is working with the foundation to organize the February education forum. Discovery provides counselling to youth and their families experiencing substance abuse issues and works with Nanaimo high schools on education initiatives. The program is well used in Nanaimo, she said. Last year, Discovery fielded 375 new requests for service, people counsellors were already seeing on an ongoing basis. The money the foundation plans to hand out this year might best be spent on programs on the prevention side of the issue, said Steve Arnett, executive director of the Nanaimo Youth Services Association. The association provides youth with employment, housing, supported living and drop-in services and touches on substance use issues through its healthy living education. But Arnett believes some still don't grasp the reasons behind abuse and the impacts. "For every 10 people who walk through our door, at least one is struggling with substance misuse and real active addiction," he said. Arnett is considering applying for a grant to start a peer mentoring and education program. Youth don't like to be lectured, he said, so a peers-helping-peers model might be more effective at getting the message across. More safe, affordable housing for youth is needed, said Horn, but the grant money available is not enough to support housing projects. The most effective solution is to prevent the abuse from occurring in the first place, he added. For more information, please go to www.nanaimoaddictionfoundation.org - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake