A-DES Spreads Word About Substance Use

Alcohol-Drug Education Service is one of six local entities participating in Substance Use Awareness Week (SUAW) Nov. 14-19 in conjunction with the City of Surrey.

The idea is to draw attention to various drugs, other substances, and even addictive behaviours that put youth and adults at risk. The initiative dovetails with goals of Surrey's Crime Reduction Strategy, which recognizes the inexorable links among crime, violence and substance abuse.

Other groups spearheading SUAW include Fraser Health, Divercity, Options Community Services, Sources Community Resource Centres, and Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS).

A-DES teamed with PCRS on Monday, Nov. 14, to kick off daily activities at Surrey City Hall, where the focus is being put on a particular substance or area of concern each day. The spotlight Monday was on alcohol, which continues the dubious distinction of being "Number 1" in terms of damaging and costly substances to abuse.

One highlight of the A-DES-PCRS exhibit were the "beer goggles" provided by ICBC, which simulate perceptions as if the wearer had too much to drink. Brave test subjects first walked a straight line without the goggles, replicating a field sobriety test; then tried the same task with goggles that mirrored the effect of either a .06 BAC or .08-.10 BAC.

Results were sobering to everyone who tried the experiment.

Other SUAW topics throughout the week include prescription medications, substance use in older adults; parenting; and "cool refusal skills."

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and the city approved a proclamation declaring Substance Use Awareness Week earlier in the month. Information kits and other background are available online by clicking here.