The Heartland Health Region are teaming up with residents this month to help spread the word of drug and alcohol prevention.

The Addiction Prevention and Recovery Services department with the health region are presenting a workshop for residents starting tomorrow. The informative presentation will educate guests on such topics as the negative and lasting effects of substance abuse.

Formerly known as 'Moms and Dads, Kids and Drugs: Who's Winning?', the program is aimed at interacting with everyone in the community. "It will be a place for not only moms and dad, but anybody who is interested or is concerned with what is going on at the Heartland Health Region," said Brian Kirkness, Addiction's Counselor for the Heartland Health Region. "It can be anybody who is wanting good information about what's happening with drugs in society."

The workshop will also focus on subjects including signs and symptoms when people use drugs and alcohol, the ways narcotics affect society, and much more.

Kirkness also touched on the timing of the workshop with the rise of dangerous drugs within modern society including fentanyl. “When people are using street drugs, even a drug like marijuana, it’s not the same drug as it was at one time,” explained Kirkness. “Fentanyl is a big one because it’s a drug which means business. You don’t get to experiment with this.”

He added how he has been working with the grade seven students on substance abuse education during the school year. Kirkness encourages other youth and adults to gain more helpful information from the presentations.

The first workshop is scheduled for November 16th at 7:00 PM at the Kindersley Composite School library. A second workshop will be offered on November 29th at 7:00 PM at the Westberry Elementary School library for those who are unable to attend the first seminar.