The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)and the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) have responded to concerns raised by parents about a 'harm reduction resource' made available to students this week at Barrie North Collegiate Institute.
The material outlined 'safer snorting' techniques that could be employed when using drugs such as cocaine, including advice on not sharing tubes or straws.
Some parents took to social media, outraged that the school board would allow such material to be distributed to students. Many felt it was promoting or normalizing drug use. Some used the term 'indoctrination', adding it had no place in the school.
Others lauded the effort being made at harm reduction, acknowledging that such drug use is taking place among students, one suggesting uncomfortable parents are doing their kids a disservice and are putting their kids at risk by not informing them.
The school board issued this response, "As part of Mental Health Week, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) was at the school over the lunch hour. Students were invited to engage with the CMHA to access information and resources that may be of relevance to them. We understand that a harm reduction resource was made available, which has raised some concerns. We have reviewed these concerns with our community partner to ensure that in the future, resources that are made available to students align appropriately with harm reduction education as outlined in the Ontario curriculum expectations."
Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, wrote, "The Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, does not seek to promote or normalize substance use among youth. We regret that unvetted materials were distributed in this context.
We are working closely with our local branch to review and strengthen our content approval processes to ensure all materials are appropriate for their intended audiences and aligned with best practices and community expectations.
Harm reduction education is designed to provide accurate, evidence-based information that helps reduce the risk of injury, illness, and death. We remain committed to delivering this information in a discrete, thoughtful and age-appropriate manner.”
