Woodstock, N.B.— This upcoming Feb. 19 Family Day will be a day of family fun in Woodstock as the Planet Youth Drug and Alcohol Prevention committee hosts a community carnival at the AYR Motor Centre. The carnival is the kick-off event for the organization’s pilot project on youth drug and alcohol prevention in three area schools: Woodstock High School, Townsview School, and Meduxnekeag Consolidated School. Iceland-based Planet Youth, has partnered with the province on a five-year pilot project aimed at reducing youth use of drugs and alcohol using a method called “The Icelandic Prevention Model.”
“Our launch is a community festival. It’s a celebration, a party,” said Horizon Health Community Developer Emily Shapiro. Shapiro and Population Health team member and nurse Alyson Ross co-lead the Planet Youth project in the Woodstock area.
“We focus particularly on protective factors,” said Shapiro, explaining the methodology behind the Icelandic Prevention Model. “This is about prevention, it’s not about treatment or addiction, but about understanding the root causes of substance use and supporting schools, families, and the larger community to make positive changes.”
Planet Youth Carnival Schedule
When: Monday, Feb. 19 @ 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Where: AYR Motor Centre, 105 Connell Park Rd., Woodstock, N.B. E7M 1M5. Carnival in the Field House and Gallery Room.
- Bouncy castles
- Popcorn
- Face painting
- Team games for youth
- Interactive games for adults
- Treats
- Prizes
- And more…
Shapiro and Ross co-lead a community-based local coalition with student-led actions in the three selected area schools.
The focus of the work is on holistic community building and long-term progress rather than standard short-term solutions.
Planet Youth
The Icelandic Prevention Model is based on universal primary prevention “that means that everyone in the community is kind of like a client or a participant,” said Shapiro. “Anyone and everybody could be affected by using drugs and alcohol and [they] can be part of the solution.”
The Planet Youth festivities begin with an introduction to Planet Youth and the drug and alcohol prevention methodology. The carnival runs from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. in the AYR Motor Centre’s Field House and Gallery Room, featuring bouncy castles, popcorn, face painting, team games for youth, interactive games for adults, treats, prizes, and more. There will be separate zones for ages eight and under and ages nine and above. The Town of Woodstock is opening the AYR Motor Centre for free family swimming and staking.
“It’s great to have a strong community that fosters families connecting with other families as part of overall drug prevention. The Town of Woodstock is a great partner and supporter of Planet Youth. We know that Woodstock has many other activities happening that afternoon and evening, so we hope that lots of people will come out and participate,” said Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones, a Planet Youth Local Coalition member.
From 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., members of the Woodstock Police Force and RCMP warm-up for a “Battle of the Badges” family friendly hockey game between the two law-enforcement agencies. The game takes place from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
The Planet Youth carnival and all Family Day activities are free of charge and open to everyone.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
| Kris McDavid Media Relations Phone: 1-877-499-1899 Email: media@horizonnb.ca | Alyson Ross Phone: 506-324-4549 Email: Alyson.Ross@gnb.ca |