Keeping College Students Safe and Aware
Students attending universities and community colleges in Nova Scotia will be better informed about the harmful patterns of drinking and gambling thanks to a new program taking place on campuses across the province.
Resources for a Healthier Campus: Helping Students Help is a comprehensive program created by experts in the field of addictions and delivered by Addiction Services staff.
The program focuses on negative drinking and gambling behaviour through interactive sessions tailored to the needs of specific audiences and institutions. The material was developed by the Department of Health Promotion and Protection in collaboration with district health authorities' Addiction Services.
"We know that part of Nova Scotia's student culture includes the use of alcohol and gambling," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection. "This resource will provide our students with solid information and facts around alcohol and gambling to ensure they make well-informed decisions before drinking or gambling."
The campus awareness program was created for the general student population with the educational component meant for students in leadership roles, such as residence assistants, who are most likely to assist peers in trouble. Training is done by Addiction Services professionals to ensure the best and most accurate information is provided.
"We have created a program specifically for Nova Scotia, based on research and the needs of the province," said Carolyn Davison, director of Addiction Services. "The program provides scenarios students can identify with, and safe, realistic solutions they can use long after they have participated in our program."
The delivery of the resource program is one of the first actions taken as part of the Nova Scotia Alcohol Strategy announced earlier this month. The strategy is aimed to support a cultural change so Nova Scotians who choose to drink will do so without harming themselves, their families or their communities.
For more information visit www.gov.ns.ca/hpp .