The Greater Victoria School District is committed to providing safe and healthy learning environments for all students. As part of our approach, we have been focusing on mental health and substance use topics to help us promote well-being in our schools.

Substance use is a complex topic that often highlights varied philosophies, myths, and a great deal of fear. The research shows us that early interventions, particularly around critical thinking and decision making, has an impact on delaying use in youth. As well, open dialogue with adults, intentionality around attachment, and a focus on the factors that contribute to substance use, as opposed to the actual substances, also prevent, delay and reduce substance use in our students.

Our goal is to create a more cohesive, systematized substance use plan focusing on social emotional learning, that includes our youth and schools, community partners, and families. We strive for a shared vision, common language and consistent messaging over time, in order to support positive youth culture and a healthy perspective on substance use and mental health.

As a parent in the Greater Victoria School District you will be receiving a modified version of the “Substance Use Focus Snapshot” that includes information and resources that pertain to your middle school child. Our secondary school students, staff, and families receive a much more detailed version that is appropriate for that age and developmental stage.

The purpose of the middle school Snapshot is to support students and families with pro-active information and potential resources as your child prepares for the transition to high school. The goal is to educate and provide information to parents in order to avoid, delay or reduce potential substance use in our middle school youth.