Youth conference empowers students to consider options for safer partying

On Thursday, April 24, 2008, the Halton Region Health Department, in conjunction with the Party in the Right Spirit Planning Committee of youth volunteers, will host a youth conference for high school students across Halton. The interactive all-day conference, billed as The Choice is Yours, encourages youth to make healthy, safe decisions when faced with choices about partying and substance use. Running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the conference takes place at The Meeting House in Oakville.

“The timing of this conference is particularly important as students gear up for prom season and other social activities that come with the warmer weather,” says Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The day is designed to be fun and also be a reminder for youth to be informed, make good decisions and take care of each other when it comes to having safer social times.”

Planned by youth, for youth, The Choice is Yours takes on a Hollywood theme this year complete with a red carpet and paparazzi. Workshops running throughout the day will feature, “Judge Trudy”, a mock celebrity drunk driving trial put on by drama students from Christ the King Catholic Secondary School, and “Lights, Camera, Action”, a workshop discussing the consequences of substance abuse, run by students from Robert Bateman and Iroquois Ridge High Schools. Canadian actor Matt John Evans, Director of Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID), will also appear as the keynote speaker.

In 2007, the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey revealed that 61 per cent of Ontario students in grades seven to 12 have reported using alcohol in the past year.

“We know there are a number of dangers youth can encounter in social settings,” says Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “Talking about the risks of substance use gives youth the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.”

For more information about The Choice is Yours – Party in the Right Spirit conference, or, to register, contact Halton Region at 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), or TTY 905-827-9833. Registration is also available online at www.haltonyouth.com.

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