This Sunday, Nov. 15 marks the beginning of National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), and community agencies are working together to bring attention to addictions issues and promote substance-free recreation options in Flin Flon and area.
“The majority of people we work with want to make healthy changes to their lives,” says Lannie Bosman, program supervisor with the Flin Flon office of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM).
With this in mind, the NAAW committee has organized a series of all-ages events that promote healthy ways to have fun.
Activities include a free movie night, featuring Kung Fu Panda, at 4 pm on Sunday, Nov. 15 at the Creighton Community School gym; a board game night at Ruth Betts Community School Family Room at 6 pm on Monday, Nov. 16, Hockey Night at the Whitney Forum on Friday, Nov. 20, as the Bombers play the Battlefords North Stars, with free tickets for students distributed in schools; and a family fun skate at the Creighton Sportex from 4:30 to 6 pm on Sunday Nov. 21. Skaters will get free admission to the Sportex with the donation of a non-perishable food item for the Lord’s Bounty Food Bank.
“Everyone is welcome,” emphasizes Amanda Link-Labarre, youth counsellor with AFM.
While representatives from AFM and CADAC Out-patient Centre will attend these recreational events, there won’t be any formal presentations made – the focus is on connecting with the community, and promoting healthy fun, says Link-Labarre.
Organizers are also reaching out to school-aged children through a colouring contest led by Kids First North; a social media campaign that Link-Labarre is coordinating with Hapnot Collegiate’s Sources of Strength club; and addictions awareness presentations in schools.
NAAW is coordinated nationally by The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA).
