BCHU, in collaboration with Brantford and Brant County community partners, produced a five-part educational mini-series for adults engaging with youth about substance use.
Keynote speaking from Dr. Tara Bruno PHD, and Maria Estrada, Living Experience Expert, fostered the opportunity to learn about the substance use continuum, gain essential knowledge about the prevention of harmful substances, and develop strategies that delay the onset of harmful problematic use.
Select each session title below to access the recorded content and review additional resources shared.
Part 1: Building Meaningful Connections with Youth - Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Content delivery by Dr. Tara Bruno PHD, and Maria Estrada:
- Introduction to The Substance Use Continuum
- The Biopsychosocial Model
- ACE Impact & Management
- Fostering Attachment & Family Engagement Value
- Healthy Routines & Safe Boundaries
Resources and Additional Information Shared:
- Online Resources:
- Books:
- Hold on to your kids: Why parents need to matter more than peers, by Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Maté, 2013
- In the realm of hungry ghosts: Close encounters with addiction, by Dr. Gabor Maté, 2008
- The drug paradox: An introduction to the sociology of psychoactive substances in Canada, by Dr. Tara Bruno & Rick Csiernik, 2018
Part 2: Understanding Substance Use - Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Content delivery by Dr. Tara Bruno PHD, and Maria Estrada:
Examining the Substance Use Continuum
The Biopsychosocial Model
Early Health Teaching of Substance Use and Literacy
Substance Use and the Brain
Stress Identification and Management
Healthy & Unhealthy Coping Strategies
Resiliency Building Blocks
Resources and Additional Information Shared:
Part 3: Early Identification and Interventions - Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Content delivery by Dr. Tara Bruno PHD, and Maria Estrada:
- Identification of Substance Use Disorders
- Impact of Stigma and Addressing Barriers
- Behaviour Change Model
- Having the Conversation
- Helpful & Harmful Strategies
Resources and Additional Information Shared:
Part 4: Treatments - Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Content delivery by Dr. Tara Bruno PHD, and Maria Estrada:
Healthy Supports
Stigma Prevention
Youth Harm Reduction
Treatment Strategies
Supportive Involvement
Resources and Additional Information Shared:
Online Resources:
Resource Guide:
The Resource Guide is a document created that compiles content and resources from the Drugs & Youth Mini-Series. Local emergency contacts and naloxone kit accessibility information are included. In addition, local, provincial, national, and international organizations' contact information and website links, and free mobile app recommendations are included in the guide for substance use support.
More about the keynotes:
- Dr. Tara Bruno PHD is an Associate Professor at King's University College at the University of Western Ontario, and focuses her research and education on at-risk youth, substance use, drug-policy, and drug education.
- Maria Estrada is a mental health advocate and living experience expert, dedicating her life to raising awareness about mental health as she has experienced a journey of self-advocacy, mental health diagnoses, addiction, relapse, and recovery.
View all session recordings on Rogers tv website here
