Phase two of Just Talk, an awareness campaign targeted to youth on the risks of substance abuse, has been launched, says Health PEI’s director of mental health and addictions, Margaret Kennedy.
“The campaign features stories of Island youth who are in recovery from substance abuse and is part of our addictions services prevention and education initiatives,” said Kennedy. “We want to help youth recognize their own potentially harmful behaviour or that of their friends before it turns into an addiction.”
Posters have been placed in schools and sports facilities across the province, which include a Quick Response (QR) code that can be scanned by a mobile device then directed to the Just Talk website to access videos featuring the experiences of Island youth and other information.
The PEI Liquor Control Commission partnered with Health PEI and provided approximately $12,000 in funding for the second phase of Health PEI’s Just Talk campaign.
“The PEI Liquor Control Commission is pleased to partner with Health PEI on the continuation of this prevention program,” said Heather Rossiter, PEI Liquor Control Commission’s Corporate Planner. “While the PEILCC does not condone underaged consumption it recognizes that campaigns like Just Talk have a broad reach that extend to all Islanders.”
Phase one of Just Talk was launched in 2009, and the campaign is part of broader, ongoing prevention and education efforts. These initiatives are being led by Health PEI’s provincial prevention coordinator, who works collaboratively with communities across the Island to help support youth and parents affected by substance use and addictions challenges.
For more information on Just Talk or youth addictions services visit: www.justtalkpei.ca/ or www.healthpei.ca/addictions.