Ottawa invests more than $500K in Battlefords effort to prevent youth substance-use harms

Developed in the early 1990s, it focuses on delaying the onset of substance use — a strategy linked to better long-term health and social outcomes — and is widely documented in peer-reviewed research.

The money builds on an earlier 18-month grant the BRT6HC received in 2024 to form a multi-agency coalition. Wellness director Jose Pruden says the new funding lets the region move into the next phase — one focused on long-term prevention rather than treatment.

“This has nothing to do with intervention. This is about upstream prevention,” she said. “It’s about looking 10 to 15 years down the road, and how we can do better as a community, so our young people don’t choose substance use, so we don’t need as many treatment centers.”

Pruden says the funding isn’t for the health centre itself but for the wider community.

“We are just the holders of the money,” she said. “This is a coalition in our community. This isn’t a Battle River Treaty 6 project. It’s Planet Youth Battlefords area.”

The coalition includes the region’s school divisions, Sakewew High School, Treaty Six Education Council, the City of North Battleford, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Ministry of Social Services, First Nations leaders, the Battlefords Regional Community Coalition, Elders and a youth network.

The first large-scale youth survey — a core feature of the Icelandic model — is expected in January 2026, with results returning to the community six to eight weeks later. Most of the data will come from surveys of Grade 10 students, which will be repeated every two years, along with additional community surveys.

“It’s localized data, and it’s not based on what we think is happening, but what the young people are telling us,” Pruden said. “Every two years [we] survey the Grade 10s and see if there’s been any change.”

Pruden says the model depends on hearing directly from youth.

“I’m not a young person, and I don’t know what they’re going through right now, and I can’t guess what their issues are,” she said.

“It’s really important as a community, we listen to our youth and take their voice seriously and make changes so that our next generations can have a healthier community to live in.”

PHAC says the work is part of the federal government’s broader approach to mental health and substance use, which includes investments through Budget 2023 and Budget 2024.

Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel says the overdose crisis and rising youth mental-health pressures make prevention critical to helping young Canadians avoid substance-use harms.

“Supporting young Canadians today means building a Canada strong for generations to come,” Michel noted.

Pruden says the support gives the coalition stability as it expands its work.

“It’s fantastic that the Public Health Agency trusted us to give us this money to continue the work we’re doing,” she said.

“The Battleford has a lot of opportunities to come together and create a better community area for our young people.”

Residents interested in getting involved in the program or the coalition can contact the BRT6HC at 306-937-6700 and ask for Planet Youth coordinator Sherri Poitras.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

Ottawa invests more than $500K in Battlefords effort to prevent youth substance-use harms

What's Trending