Keaton

North West Territories

Issue: Marijuana Use
Why? We see daily how much marijuana is used by youth in our community and their family members

Updated: 2012-04-20

(Submitted by Cst. Aucoin)

Over the past months we have continued to conduct school presentations at the elementary and high school levels.

The “Lights On” program has been very successful. “Lights On” has been held every Saturday night from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the high school.

We have had upwards of 70 students.

Volunteers come from RCMP members and school staff.

Students have been involved in organizing sports and games and taking part in a leadership role.

Updated: 2012-01-27

What issue did you choose to address in your Action Plan?

We chose to address the issue of Youth and the use of Marijuana.

Why did you choose that issue?

Keaton and I see daily how much marijuana is used by youth in our community.  Not only are the youth using marijuana but the family members of the youth as well.

How are you going to address the selected issue?

• Create Role Models for the youth
  Task: Invite elders to the school for talks and sharing time.  Have a sharing circle with tea and Eskimo doughnuts.
• Inform youth of health risks
  Task: Provide school talks using police, hospital staff, health workers and ex users.
• Lights On program
  Task: Create a safe environment through sports, entertainment and activities. Event held at the high school. Obtain volunteers to establish and run the program.

What do you hope to achieve in the next year?

Over the next year we hope to educate the youth on the health risks of Marijuana use and the long term effects.  We also hope to provide activities and a safe environment for youth to attend.

What progress have you made so far?

• High school staff have approved school time to allow for elders of the community to attend and speak to classes sharing their experience and knowledge.
• Lights On program started and established.
• RCMP, school staff and members of the community are volunteering to make the Lights On event a success.
• RCMP have attended and made two school drug presentations.
• RCMP have also provided a drug awareness presentation for parents.