Original article posted on Northern News (Brad Sheratt): https://www.northernnews.ca/news/planet-youth-timiskaming-helping-kids-live-better-lives
KIRKLAND LAKE – Planet Youth Timiskaming recently held what is known as a youth hub at Kirkland Lake’s Sacred Heart Catholic School in Kirkland Lake.
According to its website “Planet Youth is a research consultancy that runs a guidance program in adolescent substance use prevention with communities, towns, and cities throughout the world. Planet Youth works in primary substance use prevention through a collaborative approach titled the “The Icelandic Prevention Model”.
Erika Aelterman Project Coordinator for Planet Youth Timiskaming explained the purposes of these youth hubs.
“It is a project that we are doing across the district to prevent youth substance use and promote the well-being of young people. We are trying to do that through creating communities that really support youth to live their best lives.”
The Kirkland Lake event was held Feb. 11 and it allowed youth the opportunity to play various games in the school’s gym as well as do other activities such as creating art.
Aelterman added, such an endeavor requires a multi-faceted approach.
“We started with a survey in November of 2023, so we surveyed all grade 10 and 11 students across the district. This told us a lot about their substance use behaviours but also about the things in their communities that are either making them more healthy or less healthy.”
She said one thing they learned from the survey results is that youths feel there are not enough things to do in their communities and Aelterman noted that is one risk factor for substance abuse.
She went on to say there are things for youths to do in their communities but added there could be more.
The organization has three community committees, one each in the south, central and north parts of Timiskaming and she said that “from all the data and all the youth engagement we have done, this youth hub intervention is something we have come up with.”
In December the group ran an event, as a kickoff of sorts, at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex called “the skate and chill” and Aelterman said approximately 50 youths, aged 12-17 came out, she feels was “a really awesome turnout.”
Aelterman also noted that while Planet Youth is led by Northeastern Public Health, it could not operate without its partnerships which include, but is not limited to, NEOFACS, the Ontario Provincial Police, the local school boards along with the various municipalities within its catchment area.
She also said the committees are open to anyone and meet once a month. “We talk about how we can improve our communities for young people,” she stated.
Kirkland Lake, as a community has been a huge supporter of the initiative and speaking to the project, Mayor Stacy White said “I do think this is a terrific initiative to give our youth a structured, safe environment to gather and socialize. I do remember dances that were offered in my youth and realize the need for places and activities to entertain the youth of today.”
According to statistics that are available on the Planet Youth Timiskaming Website, five high schools participated in the survey which totaled 561 students, and 83 percent of students completed the survey.
The numbers, defined from the survey show amongst others, that 49 percent of youth have been drunk in their lifetime and 35 percent of youth tried alcohol at the age of 13 or under.
The survey also indicates that 40 percent used an e-cigarette in their lifetime, 26 percent have smoked a cigarette their lifetime and 31 percent have used cannabis.
For more information on Planet Youth Timiskaming visit the organization’s website.
