from the Selkirk Journal

Students and staff at the Comp were recognized for their efforts to educate kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol earlier this week.

Representatives from the school, along with current and former students involved in organizing the Addictions Awareness Week, accepted the provincial Award of Distinction award on Nov. 16.

The award is handed out annually by the Manitoba Addictions Awareness Week (MAAW) committee to an individual or organization (including schools) for their outstanding work in raising awareness surrounding substance abuse, gambling, and other related issues.

Jan Harris, an Addictions Foundation of Manitoba Youth Counsellor at the Comp, says the school annually applies for funding from MAAW to help put on the annual Addictions Awareness Week, which takes place every year during the third week of November.

“We’ve been putting on Addictions Awareness Week here for at least 10 years, and every year we try and do different things to try and get the message out,” said Harris.

The long list of initiatives the school puts on during the week to try and inform students about the harm of substance abuse and addiction include booking guest speakers, putting on dramatic skits, distributing informational material in classrooms, and setting up display booths during lunch time.

“It was very nice to receive the award, and it gave us the feeling that our effort does get noticed, not only by the public but by the audience here at the school that we’re trying to target,” said Harris. “Sometimes we often wonder how much of our message gets across, but I guess that it is.”

The school was presented with its award at a Nov. 16 ceremony at Oak Park High School, which also doubled as the official kick-off for this years Manitoba Addictions Awareness Week.