Left to right, North Battleford RCMP Const. Kat Dawe, Addictions and Mental Health Counsellor Lorraine Stone, Mental Health and Wellness student Lauren Moosuk, and Laili Yazdani, Community Program Officer with the RCMP F Division Crime Prevention/Crime Reduction Unit, shown following the Heart of Bullying workshop at the school in Mosquito First Nation. (Submitted photo/Laili Yazdani)

By Angela Brown

Increasing awareness

Guest speakers visit MGBHLM during Addictions Awareness Week

Nov 23, 2021 | 6:50 PM

Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man (MGBHLM) First Nation is taking part in discussions around addictions education this week.

During National Addictions Awareness Week, the First Nation is providing numerous activities for residents, focusing on a range of topics to help keep the community safe.

On Monday, Laili Yazdani, Community Program Officer for the RCMP’s Crime Prevention/Crime Reduction Unit, along with North Battleford RCMP Const. Kat Dawe gave a presentation to youth on bullying, and to adults on drug awareness and prevention.

“It’s a great opportunity to partner together and to bring awareness to this important topic,” Yazdani said.

For the bullying awareness workshop, the focus was on showing kids the importance of building positive relationships, and being aware of the negative impacts of bullying.

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The experts advised youth how they can recognize bullying, how they can prevent and stop it, and where they can find support and more information on the issue.

The RCMP team also discussed the issue of cyberbullying, to help kids stay safe.

“We encouraged everyone to increase their own understanding of how bullying affects everyone, and the importance to getting help and speaking with a trusted adult,” Yazdani said.

In the afternoon session, Yazdani and Dawe led a drug awareness workshop for adults at the community hall.

The team discussed various facts and trends, as well as the different categories of drugs and how they are used. They also focused on warning signs, the reasons some people get involved in drug use, as well as prevention programs and resources available to help those who are struggling.

“We encouraged everyone to increase their own knowledge and awareness of drugs, to use healthy coping strategies and to seek out help and emotional support when needed,” Yazdani said.

On Friday, a pipe ceremony and mini round dance are planned at the First Nation as part of the ongoing activities this week.

National Addictions Awareness Week continues through to Nov. 27.

–

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow