The Manitoba Addiction Agencies Network (MAAN) is holding their annual Awareness Week events November 26-30 2018.
M-SUAAW (Formerly MAAW) is a week to increase knowledge around of substance use & addictions, as well as showcasing agencies and other resources that offer help to individuals living with substance use or addiction.
Our theme this year is “#AllWalksofLife“:
Sadly, one in 10 Canadians suffers from some type of substance use disorder. That could mean your colleague, your neighbour or someone in your own family. Substance use problems and addiction do not discriminate—they affects all walks of life.
Events are being held all through the province:
There is also a province-wide Video Contest for youth, and services being provided for youth in satellite communities.
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is holding a Launch event on the Monday, three Lunch & Learn sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, followed with the Health & Resource Fair wrap up on Friday, as will as an Open House in a comprehensive substance-use resource library. Details are below.
Launch Event
*NOTE* To get into the legislative building, you will have to pass through security first–please be prepared with government issued photo ID.
Monday Nov 26, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM inside the Legislative Building (450 Broadway)
This is INSIDE the legislative building, so remember you will require one piece of government-issued photo ID to pass security.
- Ben Fry will MC the event
- Minister Hon. Cameron Friesen will make a proclamation
- Other speakers will include Dr. Ginette Poulin, Kelly K., and Elizabeth Stoesz
- An opening blessing and closing song will be provided by Elder Paul Guimond
In-person Lunch & Learn seats are limited! Please register today: 204-944-6260
NEW THIS YEAR:
Lunch & Learn presentations are also available via webinar. Just click on the link to register your participation in the event.
Substance Use and the Workplace
- Tuesday Nov 27
- 76% of individuals living with a substance use disorder in Canada are employed. Learn how employers can recognize when a team member needs support, and effective ways to respond when they do. Gordon Pratt has worked on the production floor, as a supervisor, as an HR representative, and as the training and development coordinator for a large Winnipeg manufacturer . He has been a full time recovery counsellor since 2012, and helped develop and launch the Work Sober and Exploring Options programs at SRWC.
- Facilitator: Gordon Pratt, Rehabilitation Counsellor, SRWC Recovery Centre
Running and Recovery
- Wednesday Nov 28
- In this session we’re going to explore the benefits of exercise, running in particular, for individuals in recovery. Included will be a brief discussion of the research that has pointed to benefits; how running has been shown to improve the recovering individual, with a focus on effects on the brain; and an open discussion exploring ways to incorporate running into recovery.
- Facilitators: Ryan Menard and Elizabeth Stoesz, Rehabilitation Counsellors, AFM
Cannabis: It’s legal, now what?
- Thursday Nov 29
- On October 17, 2018 non-medical use of cannabis became legal in Canada. As we respond to this dramatic shift in public policy, there is an urgent need to educate ourselves about the effects of cannabis and what “sensible” use looks like. Many myths exist – for both those in favour of legalization and those opposed. This interactive session will provide an overview of the types of cannabis products commonly used, the effects of cannabis, how to identify someone who might be intoxicated, how cannabis might interact with other drugs/medications, and what constitutes “lower risk” cannabis use.
- Facilitator: Sheri Fandrey, Knowledge Exchange Lead, AFM
Health and Resource Fair
Friday, Nov 30, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM the health fair will be held at Portage Place mall, in the location of where HMV used to be.
- Attending will be representatives from a variety of agencies involved in substance use and mental health issues. Come visit the information booths to learn more.
- If you are interested in joining the Health and Resource Fair, contact Kristy Chamberlain.
Near Edmonton Court
William Potoroka Memorial Library Open House
On Friday Nov. 30, 2018, the William Potoroka Memorial library (on the main floor at AFM in Winnipeg 1031 Portage Ave) will be holding an open house between 2 and 4 pm.
- This is Manitoba’s most comprehensive information source for substance use/misuse, gambling and related issues.
- Library technicians will provide tutorials on accessing online resources and anything else of interest.
- Light refreshments will be served.
Provincial Youth Video Contest
M-SUAAW will mark the launch of this year’s AFM Youth Video Contest. Stay tuned for more information.
Satellite Communities School & Community-Based Youth Services
AFM community based youth staff will be holding a variety of prevention education sessions and youth resource booths at various schools and resource centres in the city, especially schools that do not already have an AFM presence. School based youth staff will be holding a variety of events within their respective schools.
Brandon and area
- Cold Weather Clothing and Food Drive will take place Monday, November 27th, 4-7pm at one of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) spaces. All donations will go to the local organization, Samaritan House, which offer a food bank, safe & warm shelter and other services.
- AFM Youth Workers will attend Teen clinics at all the high schools in Brandon during the month of November.
- Youth Workers are also planning activities/booths/presentations during that week in their respective schools.
Thompson and area
- Candy Crash: We’ll bring rockets into work places with messages on them or #allwalksoflife…as the smarties are all different on the outside but same in the inside, so too are people.
- School Presentations: Targeting Grade 4&5, talking about stigma, #allwalksoflife, addictions and healthy choices. We are going to do rock painting with certain messages, and let the kids leave them around town.
- Kid Warrior: Exercise class for families and kids. Focus on healthy living and having fun together in a clean way….#allwalksoflife
- Resource Booth: Having a booth in the mall on Friday. Safer Choices Northern Network (northern version of 595), and FASD network to partner.
- Volleyball Game: 4th annual Staff vs Residential clients…the challenge continues!
- Thompson Rocks: Rocks will be painted with encouraging or informative messages and distributed around to be discovered by the curious. Find more here https://www.facebook.com/groups/344515222672829/
Flin Flon and area
- Hockey Night in Flin Flon: Flin Flon Bombers VS Notre Dame – Friday, November 23rd at 7:30 pm at the Whitney Forum
- Free tickets for students will be distributed through the schools
- Information booth in lobby area
- Family Fun Skate: Sunday, November 25th @ Creighton Sportex 2-4 pm
- Free admission with non-perishable food item for Lord’s Bounty Food Bank
- Free Drink and Hot Dog for first 100 people & Cake for National Day of the Child
- Silver collection at the door.
- Parent Info Night: Monday, November 26th @ Ruth Betts Community School 6-7 pm (to be confirmed)
- Family Games Night: Tuesday, November 27th @ The Salvation Army (downstairs) 6:30-8 pm – 3 Hemlock Dr. Bring your favorite game and enter to win a door prize! (to be confirmed)
- Family Movie Night: Tuesday, November 27th @ Denare Plex from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Popcorn and juice provided. Door prizes!
- Youth Center Game Night: Thursday, Nov. 29th @ The Friendship Center from 4:30-6 pm. Bring your favorite game and enter to win a door prize! (to be confirmed)
- Free Swim: Friday, November 30th @ the Flin Flon Aqua Center 6:30-8:00 pm
- Bring a non-perishable food item for the Lord’s Bounty Food Bank and enter to win a door prize. Silver collection at the door.
- Other activities planned for National Addictions Awareness Week include:
- Presentation of the Healthy Youth Role Model Award
- Displays at various locations around Flin Flon & Creighton
- Radio contest on 102.9 CFAR
- Coloring contest
- Various in school presentations throughout the week
