FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2006

A unique project to gage the different experiences of local youth with alcohol presented a wider range of expression than organizers could have hoped for. "Photovoice: Youth and Alcohol" is a display and presentation of the work of students from two city high schools. Dennis Franklin Cromarty had ten students working in an after-school group and the grade 12 Human Growth and Development class at Hillcrest High also participated.

The students will present their take on how alcohol affects their lives and communities. The focus of the presentation is a series of photographs. The students have also prepared a short play, presentation and "teen expert" panel designed to help parents of pre-teens learn how to discuss alcohol with their children.

Local politicians, administrators and those working with youth were given a sneak preview of the photos today. Presentations are scheduled to begin within a few local schools tomorrow. The general public is invited to a special one hour presentation to take place at 7 pm on Wednesday night at Gron Morgan School on Marlborough Road.

"This project is unique in that instead of discussing the fairly standard list of topics that arise when working with youth, we spent time helping them express themselves through photography and other art forms. We asked them to share their experience regarding substance and alcohol use. The resulting exhibit demonstrates a far more complex response than we expected," explains Patricia Hajdu, Health Promotion Planner working in the Substance Use Program at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. "The results are very good. Everyone in the community should see it."

The photo display will tour schools in the city and be offered to district schools to stimulate discussion about the topics raised.

The Health Unit and local Drug Awareness Committee will use the work to fine tune their own approach to existing substance and alcohol programming for youth.

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