The Ontario Trillium Foundation is helping provide more services to help support high school students struggling with drug or alcohol problems.
Friday the Youth Diversion program announced the Foundation had granted it over $144,000. to pay for more services through the hiring of more counsellors who will be present or available in every secondary school in Hastings and Prince Edward counties.
Just 4 schools had been involved in the program last year, funded by the United Way and the Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic School Board.
Executive Director of Youth Diversion Shawn Quigley says the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in the need for addictions counselling.
“Being in every high school their job is going to be outreach support, providing substance use and substance misuse education
as well as direct support for students who are struggling with a substance use concern.”
Youth Diversion, in partnership with other agencies serving youth, is currently serving 48 students in the 2 counties.
