(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Alcohol awareness

P.A. high school students work to create alcohol free spaces

Jun 4, 2019 | 4:42 PM

A school project developed at Wesmor Community High School in Prince Albert is educating people about the dangers associated with alcohol abuse, and providing a safe place for people to turn to who need support.

Through the Sober House Project, homes that are self-identified as alcohol free post a sign in their window identifying them as such. Wesmor teacher Tricia Lucyshyn helped develop the project at the school

“It’s not to shame anyone about alcohol, it’s just changing our conversation and not normalizing alcohol,” she said. “You know it’s normal to get drunk when you are 11-years-old or 15-years-old.”

300 Sober House signs have been distributed thus far. (Submitted photo/ Camryn Corrigal)

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The idea for the school project was based on Saskatchewan author Harold Johnson’s book Fire Water: How alcohol is Killing My People (And Yours). In the book Johnson talks about creating alcohol free spaces. Lucyshyn explained that after she read the book to her class, there was an overwhelming response by the students to do something locally. Lucyshyn explained one of the issues for people who leave their community for treatment and come back, is they often don’t have a sober home to come back to.

“So what’s happening is you go back to your community and you have your friends and your family who are drinking, and you could easily fall off that wagon,” she said.

Camryn Corrigal was one of the students involved in the project and told paNOW he is very proud of the work they have done.

“I used to know people who drank and it wasn’t good for their life and it’s nice to know you can do good for people and change their lives,” he said.

The school has received a grant from Sask Prevention to help with the project. Mental heath therapist Tracy Carlson and addictions counselor Rae Napper have also been actively involved with the school’s work. As well the project has also spread to other communities including La Ronge and Weyburn.

“It’s amazing to see we can make a change just being four students and a few adults,” Corrigal said.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell