Substance Use Liaison program helps youth and families affected by substance use

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With school now back in session, Surrey Schools reminds families and students that supports are available through the district’s Substance Use Liaison (SUL) program for anyone struggling with substance use.

Operated by the district’s Safe Schools department, the SUL program supports and connects those affected by substance use – including drugs, alcohol, vaping and nicotine – by providing resources and guidance to encourage positive lifestyle changes.

“The program focuses on intervention, prevention and education on the topics of substance use and mental health,” said Dakota Grange, assistant manager of Safe Schools. “Our primary support is for students, but we also support families who are involved with substance use and youth impacted by the use of others.”

The district has a team of five substance use liaisons that supports all schools in the district, including learning centres, secondary and elementary schools, and Education Services schools. Liaisons are trained to provide accurate information about substance use, including risks and health concerns, the addictive nature of certain substances and the effects they can have on learning and relationships.

“The conversation doesn’t have to be limited to using substances,” said Grange. “It could be about friends experimenting with substances, discussions on decision-making or peer pressure, sub-topics of stress management – all sorts of different things that can impact a young person’s substance use and mental health.”

Schools refer students to the substance use liaison program for a variety of reasons, but students and families can also self-refer or ask questions by emailing sul@surreyschools.ca. They can also ask questions anonymously or report substance use through the Protecting Surrey Schools Together website.

New this year, Safe Schools has partnered with Fraser Health’s Healthy Schools program to launch Monthly Matters, a newsletter with a specific focus on a topic related to substance use and mental health. September’s newsletter serves as an introduction to Safe Schools and available supports from the district and community agencies, while October’s will teach students about overdose awareness.

“It is a great resource for people looking for factual information about substances and support from the community,” said Grange. “We feel it’s very important to provide our youth and families with more information about where to access supports and discuss topics that youth have really expressed interest in and are wanting to know more.”

The September newsletter also features links to district resources and community agencies:

District Resources:

• Safe Schools
• PSST (Protecting Surrey Schools Together)
• Surrey Schools Mental Health

Community Agencies & Resources

• Alex House
• Foundry BC
• Fraser Health – Substance Use Services
• Fraser Health – Mental Health and Substance Use
• Fraser Health – Harm Reduction
• Fraser Health – Stay Safer
• Fraser Health – Youth Clinics
• PCRS (Pacific Community Resources Society)
• Sources
• Surrey Libraries – Activities in the Community

“We know that we are only with students for 10 months of the year, and a substance use liaison can support youth and families in getting connected to services that operate outside of school hours,” said Grange.

For more information, visit the Substance Use Liaison program page, email sul@surreyschools.ca or inquire anonymously through PSST.