Youth & Family Substance Use Resources

The following resources are available to youth, families and care professionals. 

For Youth

Mouse Party    
An interactive educational site designed to provide a glimpse into the chemical interactions in the brain that cause the drug user to feel high.

Youth Anxiety BC
An interactive website designed to support youth to recognize and respond to anxiety, fear and other stressors. Includes downloadable resource list for common problems, ways to manage them, and support.

Youth Binge Drinking 
Focuses on forming healthy habits related to alcohol use. Includes an alcohol reality check, safe tips when consuming alcohol, Canada’s low risk drinking guidelines and links to a variety of related resources.

Youth in BC (YIBC)
An on- line chat service where youth can chat 1 on 1 with a trained volunteer from the Crisis Centre, where the service is based. The website explores Youth issues, with information, blogs, resources, and places to go for support.

The Deal
Designed by youth for youth and uses a digital library to help overcome obstacles in personal, family and community life. Developed through the youth engagement section of the RCMP.

For Parents

Let's Talk - Speaking to our Kids about Substance Use
An information kit for schools and parents with information on the current fentanyl crisis.

Recognizing Resilience: A Workbook for Parents and Caregivers of Teens Involved with Substances 
This workbook was developed with the intention for parents to choose their own approaches to parenting, based on beliefs and values.

Canada’s National Anti Drug Strategy
Focuses on prevention and access to treatment. Click on the link to the left “For Parents” for information, tips and tools regarding parenting teens and communicating about substance use.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The website includes information, resources, and links to support.

Centre For Addictions Research (CARBC)
Conducts extensive research regarding substance use, with a focus on exploring ways to minimize negative impacts on individuals and society. Click on the “Helping Communities” link, followed by “Tools & Resources” to locate alcohol reality self-tests and low risk drinking guidelines. Also includes downloadable guides for parents about responding to adolescent substance use.

Centre For Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH)
Click on “Health Information”, followed by “Resources For Parents”. Includes information, resources, stories of hope and recovery.

The Force Society
F.O.R.C.E. = Families Organized for Recognition and Care Equality. The Force was developed in 2000 by, and for parents whose children’s lives are touched by mental health issues. The Force aims to ensure children, youth & families receive appropriate mental health care, services and support.

Here To Help
A project of the BC Partners for Mental health and Addictions Information. Aimed to help people prevent and manage mental health and substance use problems. The website includes current information, publications and stories on mental health and substance use. Also includes screening self tests, interactive toolkits and a discussion forum.

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
A provincial resource centre helping BC children, youth and their families to find the resources in dealing with mental health and substance use issues, based on a provincial strategy to improve health literacy in BC. Includes links to a variety of resources.

McCreary Center Society (MCS)
A non-government not-for-profit agency committed to improving the health of BC youth through research, education and community based projects. Includes links to download research reports, toolkits and other resources related to health promotion.

Drug Awareness
Information, resources, fact sheets, tips and education from the RCMP related to communicating with your adolescents about substances and making healthy choices.

For Support Workers and Professionals

Let's Talk - Speaking to our Kids about Substance Use
An information kit for schools and parents with information on the current fentanyl crisis.

Distrupting Standard Mode: A Big Picture Story of Family Inclusion in Substance Use Services.
An inquiry on building system responsiveness to increase collaboration with carers in the substance use systems.

Recognizing Resilience: A Workbook for Parents and Caregivers of Teens Involved with Substances 
This workbook was developed with the intention for parents to choose their own approaches to parenting, based on beliefs and values.

Collaborating with Carers: A Practitioner's Guidebook for Facilitating the Recognizing Resilience Group with Parents and Caregivers Affected by Adolescent Substance Use                                                                                                                                                                            
A facilitator's companion to the workbook above. 

Keeping Youth Connected, Healthy and Learning 
This report was developed by Island Health’s Youth & Family Substance Use Services and includes a review of evidence and best practice regarding school and community approaches to substance use, with a focus on alternatives to suspension. Can also be found on School District 69 and CAR BC websites.

Centre For Addictions Research (CARBC)
Conducts extensive research regarding substance use, with a focus on exploring ways to minimize negative impacts on individuals and society. Click on the “Helping Schools” link to explore promising practices and tools and resources related to maximizing student drug literacy, prevention and health promotion (IMinds).

Here To Help
A project of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information. Aimed to help people prevent and manage mental health and substance use problems. Click on “Publications” link followed by “BC School Resource Guide” for fact sheets, toolkits, brochures and other educational material.

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
A provincial resource centre helping BC children, youth and their families to find the resources in dealing with mental health and substance use issues, based on a provincial strategy to improve health literacy in BC.

McCreary Center Society (MCS)
A non- government not- for-profit agency committed to improving the health of BC youth through research, education and community based projects. MCS sponsors and promotes a wide range of activities and research to identify and address the health needs of young people in the province. Includes links to download research reports, toolkits and other resources related to health promotion.

Moments to Milestones
This 30-minute video from Fraser Health is an education resource for first responders, including police, paramedics, emergency room staff or anyone working with people who use substances. It shows the remarkable, positive difference that can be made when people who use substance are approached in a manner that fosters respect, compassion and inclusion.

Mouse Party 
An interactive educational site designed to provide a glimpse into the chemical interactions in the brain that cause the drug user to feel high.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
NIMH works to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through research, with a focus on prevention, recovery, and cure. Click on link for “Educational Resources” or “Publications” for a range of multimedia activities that can be facilitated in classroom settings, and are based on National Science Education Standards. Also includes brochures, booklets and fact sheets related to the teen brain and mental health that can be ordered for your school.