• Home
  • Stories
    • News >
      • 2022 Local Government Elections
    • Learning & Literacy
    • Food, Farming & Fishing >
      • Recipe Collection
    • Culture & Heritage
    • Wellness
    • Environment
    • Opinions, letters and reflections
  • About Us
    • Donate
  • Jobs
    • Job Posting Submission Form
    • Job Postings
  • E-magazine
  • Calendar
  • Albert County
    • Community Directory
    • Churches
    • Living in Albert County
    • Our Villages
    • Attractions
  • Ads
  • Trails
Connecting Albert County

wellness

Youth at Risk and the Drug Intervention Program

25/6/2021

0 Comments

 
By Jennifer Shelby

If you, or a young person you care about, is struggling with drug addiction, the free Drug Intervention Program (DIP) can help. Specifically tailored for youth aged 15-24, DIP is an outreach program from Youth Impact Jeunesse, which recently extended into Albert County with funding from the Bennett and Albert County Health Care (BACH) Foundation. Program Manager Jonathan Thibodeau explains that “there is a rise in addiction in most regions of the province and some of this seems to be correlated to the pandemic.”
​

Some clients contact DIP on their own, while others are referred to the program. “We offer help with alcohol, marijuana, and, of course, all the harder substances.” DIP can be reached by calling 506-856-2633 or by visiting youthimpact.org.
Families, caregivers, and loved ones of at-risk youth are also welcome to contact the program. “They don’t have to convince the youth to join the program, that’s our job,” says Thibodeau. “They can refer a youth who they think could use our help and we can connect with them.”

These services are confidential. “Youth need to be able to access counselling without the stigma that can come with addiction issues. Of course, safety comes first and if the youth is a danger to themselves or others, we have a duty to report,” explains Thibodeau.

“We always ask the client if they have a preference in gender for their worker as [that] is the best approach to trauma-informed care,” says Thibodeau. In this case, trauma-informed care reflects the recognition that past traumas are often linked to a youth’s drug use. “A lot of our clients have been through trauma. The youth are typically contacted as soon as we receive the referral. There is no waitlist.”

“All our staff members have a different style and personalities and sometimes our referral services will recommend a certain worker for the youth,” he continues. “One of the workers knows a lot about nature and its healing properties, one is a stand-up comedian, one is a great emphatic listener, but all are greatly experienced in working with youth.”

Since every youth’s addiction and situation is unique, “every aspect of the program is tailored to the youth, from meeting frequency, location and duration. It will take the time it takes and we support them through the process. Some youths are in the program for a few months, some for a few years,” Thibodeau adds.

An 18-year-old in the program tells potential clients, “Don’t be afraid to be open and honest. I needed some-one to talk to about my addiction and the program helped me understand what I wanted to know about.”

After James (not his real name) overdosed on prescription medicines, he began working with DIP to eliminate negative influences and focus on the positive aspects of his life. He met and began a relationship with a new romantic partner. Things were going well until he lost his full-time job. Stressful life events, such as unexpected unemployment, can challenge recovery, but James stuck with the program. DIP helped him search for employment and consider new educational goals. He found a new job and has plans to return to school, but more significantly, James navigated through his stress without relapsing into prescription medicine abuse. He credits this accomplishment to the program’s consistent and reliable help.

“We help [our clients] establish their own goals in various areas of their lives as the drug use is typically a symptom of other issues,” says Thibodeau. Some youths in the program have asked for help in cutting back marijuana use to improve their grades for graduation, while others worked on ending addictions to amphetamines and securing employment to leverage themselves out of prostitution.

“The program is actually really helpful,” writes a 17-year-old in the program. Another admits, “I thought it wouldn’t help, but just try. Things will work out.”

The youth care workers offer a no-pressure approach to overcoming the youth’s challenges. Many counselling sessions are as casual as going for a drive and drinking coffee while chatting. “Our focus is on building a supportive relationship,” says Thibodeau. “We encourage the youth by reminding them of their goals, offering a different perspective and non-judgmental approach. A youth can leave the program and come back if things take a turn for the worse.”

“We also remind them that at the end of the day, they have to make their own decisions in life and we can’t always be there to stop them from using drugs. The cycle of addiction offers many ups and downs. We try to be the one true constant in their lives.”

Thibodeau goes on to advise that “we can also assist families through the [detox/rehab] process. We visit clients in rehab and help them stay connected to their community and assist them with discharge planning and reintegration. We also help clients and families navigate the court system.”

Youth Impact Jeunesse is located in the Youth QUEST Central building at 199 St. George Blvd. in Moncton. “Youth QUEST Central is a drop-in center that hosts several programs to help youth in a variety of areas such as food insecurities, hygiene supplies, employment and education, as well as hosting activities and group workshops. These programs are open to any youth from 16-24 and youth from anywhere can access them. If youth from the Drug Intervention Program want to access the services, we can help with transportation,” says Thibodeau.

If you would like to access the Drug Intervention Program services, you are encouraged to call 506-856-2633 or visit youthimpact.org to learn more.

If you would like to volunteer with Youth Impact Jeunesse or make donations of needed goods, such as hand sanitizer and deodorant, please visit youthimpact.org to learn more.

As Thibodeau points out, for every youth they are able to help, the help goes beyond the life of that one person. 
​​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Wellness

    ​Connecting Albert County would like to thank the following supporters & advertisers:

    Platinum supporters
    - Bennett and Albert County Health Care (BACH) Foundation  
    ​- Albert County Pharmacy
    ​​- Hon. Rob Moore, MP for Fundy Royal


    Gold supporters
    - CBDC Westmorland Albert 
    - ​Albert County Funeral Home​​


    Silver supporters
    - 
    Albert County Chamber of Commerce 
    ​ - Foods of the Fundy Valley​
    - Hon. Mike Holland, Minister, MLA-Albert 

     - Fundy Highlands Motel and Chalets

    Bronze supporters
    - ​Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee (CCRC)

    - Jeff MacDougall, SouthEastern Mutual Insurance ​
    ​

    If you would like to support Connecting Albert County, visit our Advertising page or Donation page. With your support, we can continue to share the news of rural Albert County.

    Comments
    We welcome comments to our blog postings. Please provide your email address and name with your comment, and respect our content guidelines.


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    2015 Maritime Orienteering Festival
    ACCHC
    ACHWC
    Active
    Activities
    Addiction
    Adult Learning
    Adult Learn To Curl
    Affordable Housing
    Affordable Transportation
    Albert County
    Albert County Community Health Centre
    Albert County Communtiy Health Centre
    Albert County Health And Wellness Centre
    Albert County League Of Gamers
    Albert County Pharmacy
    Alma
    Alma NB
    Alma Recreation Centre
    Alma Recreation Council
    Alma Rink
    Alma Winter Carnival
    Anglophone East School District
    Anti-tobacco
    Appreciation
    Atlantic Nationals
    Award
    Baby
    BACH
    BACH Foundation
    Basketball
    Bay Of Fundy
    Beach
    Bennett And Albert County Healthcare (BACH) Foundation
    Bennett And Albert County Health Care Foundation
    Bike Marathon
    Birding
    Birdwatching
    Board Of Directors
    Caledonia Activity Centre
    Caledonia Regional High School
    Camp
    Campaign
    Camping
    Canada-wide
    Canadian Orienteering Championships
    Cape Enrage
    Carpooling
    CCRC
    Challenge
    Chase The Ace
    Checklist
    Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee
    CHMA
    Classroom
    Clinical Services
    Community
    Community Adult Learning
    Community Developer
    Community Meeting
    Community Resources
    Coronavirus
    Corona Virus
    Counselling
    COVID 19
    Covid-19
    COVID-19 Testing
    CRHS
    Curling
    Daycare
    Destination Development
    Development Survey
    Diabetes
    Dietitian
    Doctor
    Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
    Drive
    Drug Intervention
    Drug Intervention Program
    Early Childhood Development
    East Coast Kids
    Education
    Elgin Eco-Association
    Emergency Measures
    Emotion
    Emotional Resiliency
    End-of-Life Care
    Event
    Excellence In Aging
    Face Mask
    Family
    Fat Bike
    Fat Biking
    Flu
    Flu Campaign
    Food Allergies
    Food Bank
    Forest Dale
    Forest Dale Home
    Fredericton
    Free
    Friends Of Fundy
    Friends Of The Moncton Hospital
    Frontline Workers
    Fundraising
    Fundy Biosphere Reserve
    Fundy Curling Club
    Gamers
    Gaming
    Gardening
    Gardens
    Garden Tour
    GED
    General Education Development
    General Meeting
    Gentle Yoga
    Golf
    Good Nutrition
    Health
    Health And Wellness Centre
    Health Assessment
    Health Services
    Healthy Habits
    High School
    Hiiisborough
    Hike
    Hiking
    Hillsborough
    Hillsborough Arena
    ​Hillsborough Arena Public Skating
    Hillsborough Consolidated School
    Hillsborough Public Library
    Hockey
    Holidays
    Hopewell Hill
    Hopewell Rocks
    Horizon
    Horizon Health.
    Horizon Health Network
    Horizon's Albert County Community Health Centre
    Hospice SENB
    Housing
    Huskies
    Ice Cleats
    Imagination Library
    IMBA
    Inclusion NB
    Information
    Intellectual Disabilities
    International Trails Day
    Kayak
    Last Wish
    Learning
    Lieutenant-Governor
    Life Skills
    Lighthouse
    Literacy
    Literacy Express
    Little Rocks Curling
    Local Food
    Long-term Care Facility
    Lyme Disease
    Maison Albert House
    Mary's Point
    Masks
    Medical
    Mental Health
    Migratory Shorebirds
    Minor Hockey
    Mobility Van
    Moncton Hospital
    Moncton Outdoor Enthusiasts
    Mountain Bike
    Mountain Biking
    Myths
    National Tire Distributors
    Nature
    NB
    Needs Assessment
    New Brunswick
    Non Profit
    Nutrition
    Nutrition Month
    Open Doors
    Outdoor Elements
    Outdoors
    Outreach Diabetes Case Manager
    Palliative Care
    Pandemic
    Parent-Child Mother Goose Program
    Parenting
    Parks Canada
    ParticipACTION
    ParticPACTION
    Plan360
    Power Outage
    Preschool Education
    Prizes
    Program
    Rappelling
    Restaurant
    Riverside Albert
    Riverside-Albert
    Riverside Consolidated School
    Roots Of Empathy
    Run For Life
    Rural Albert County
    Rural Communities
    Rural Destination
    Rural Literacy
    Rural Transit
    Safe
    Salem
    Sandpipers
    School
    Seniors
    Shepody Food Bank
    Shorebirds
    Sistema
    Skating
    Skiing
    Snowshoeing
    Soccer
    Social Work
    Social Worker
    Sparks Fly
    Sports
    Spotlight
    Spring
    Support Care Assistant Program
    Survey
    Sustainability
    Sustainable Path
    "take A Kid Mountain Biking"
    Talk With Me Program
    Team
    Technology
    Teens
    Teledrive
    Tele Drive
    Tele-Drive
    Tele-drive
    Tele Drive Albert County
    Tele-Drive Albert County
    Testing
    The Shepody Trail
    The Shore-Line Trail
    Tick
    Tips
    Trail Building
    Trails
    Trans Canada Trail
    Transportation
    Urban Rural Rides
    Urban/Rural Rides
    Vaccination
    Vaccine
    Vaccines
    Varsity
    Volunteer
    Volunteer Drivers
    Volunteering
    Volunteers
    Wellness
    Wellness Center
    ​Well Woman Program
    White Rock
    White Rock Recreational Area
    Wilderness
    WIN
    Winner
    Winter
    Winter Activities
    Winter Carnival
    Winter Hikes
    Woman's Health
    Women
    Women Of The Wilderness
    Workforce
    WOW
    Writers Workshop
    Yoga
    Yoga Classes
    Youth
    Youth At Risk
    Youth Impact
    Ziplining

CONTACT
ADVERTISING
CALENDAR
PUBLICATION

SiteLock
Copyright © Connecting Albert County, 2021 | Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada
  • Home
  • Stories
    • News >
      • 2022 Local Government Elections
    • Learning & Literacy
    • Food, Farming & Fishing >
      • Recipe Collection
    • Culture & Heritage
    • Wellness
    • Environment
    • Opinions, letters and reflections
  • About Us
    • Donate
  • Jobs
    • Job Posting Submission Form
    • Job Postings
  • E-magazine
  • Calendar
  • Albert County
    • Community Directory
    • Churches
    • Living in Albert County
    • Our Villages
    • Attractions
  • Ads
  • Trails