Helping Your Community Help People With An Alcohol/Drug Problem

More Newfoundlanders & Labradorians are becoming aware of the damaging effects of alcohol and other drug problems on themselves, their families, neighborhoods and communities.

Much has been done to provide effective treatment for those who need it. Even though progress has been made, much more needs to be done. To create change, a community and its people need to become involved.

• If there is a lack of treatment services in your community seek the advice of your provincial addiction services. Discuss your community's needs and possible solutions with the professionals and service clubs of your community. Recruit helpers.
• Talk to employers and labour unions about providing humane and effective treatment of employees with an addiction problem. Check on how addiction problems are handled at your workplace.
• If there are good treatment services available in your area, help promote them with the people who need them.
• Encourage your local physician and clergyman to direct clients with an addiction problem to the appropriate treatment services.
• Encourage your local public health nurse and social worker to refer clients with signs of an addiction problem to the appropriate treatment services.
• Volunteer to work in an addiction information and referral centre.
• Publicize the phone number and locations where treatment services may be found.
• Help someone close to you to seek help.
• Talk to police and judges about their views on prescribing treatment for people charged for public intoxication or driving while intoxicated, rather than sentencing them to jail. Ask them what the provincial laws are. If local policies and practices need changing, talk to your local elected government representative.

For additional information, please contact one of the following Addictions Services Offices.