A few years ago, the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team amalgamated with the Opiate Task Force. As a result, the team saw a great group of stakeholders merge together with the goal of working together to heighten community awareness of treatment, prevention and law enforcement with regard to substance misuse. In order to find their true direction, the team ventured through a process of aligning their Terms of Reference and policies. Anyone who has done this, knows its not the most exciting process and is very slow. The team recognized that administration was absorbing most of the energy and decided to get back to program delivery - the very heart and soul of SAPT!
In the spring of 2013, SAPT decided it was time to get back to "DOING!" and they coordinated a DEC Conference (Drug Endangered Children) based on a successful workshop held in Thunder Bay. The team filled the Adventure Inn conference room and hosted a variety of guest speakers with favourable feedback. The conference proved that the need was there and many agencies and individuals were keen to learn more as to how they could support their communities!
In the spring of 2014, SAPT partnered with the Rainy River District Community Policing Committee. The team decided to take on a new project based on community BBQ's occurring in Kenora and Dryden areas. On September 6, 2014, with support from various stakeholders, SAPT held their very first Community BBQ Celebrating Safety at Point Park in Fort Frances, ON. The event was designed to bring SAPT partners together with children and their families to demonstrate what supports and resources are available to support them. Each agency ensured they had an activity for children, the Kiwanis Club provided a FREE BBQ.....and SAPT had three BOUNCY CASTLES for the kids! The event was a great success and completely surpassed all expectations with over 450 people attending!
On behalf of the Rainy River District Committee, I would like to congratulate SAPT on their success and welcome them to the fold of RRDCPC. We are excited to work together to support youth and their families within the District and already have more events planned for the upcoming year!
Anyone who is interested in joining SAPT, may contact Tiffany Clifford-Smith, Chairperson at the United Native Friendship Centre.
