Latest news with #YouthSupport
Daily Telegraph
17-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Telegraph
Australia's first fixed pill testing site is opening in Melbourne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. The lifesaving service is expected to reduce pressure on frontline services. After successful trials at music festivals across the state, Melbourne is getting its first permanent pill testing site. Open Thursdays to Sundays from August in the inner-north suburb of Fitzroy from August, the facility is close to nightlife, public transport, community health and social services. According to the Victoria's Department of Health, about half of Australian adults have used drugs at some point in their lives, and there has been an increase in emergency department admissions relating to use and overdose deaths involving novel synthetic drugs. Run by Youth Support and Advocacy Service, The Loop Australia, and Harm Reduction Victoria, the government said the site will provide a free, lifesaving service. The results of pill testing globally Pill testing has been proven not to encourage people to use drugs, but to provide education and information about what people are actually taking, so they can make safer, more informed decisions. Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said, "No drug is safe, but with testing and open, health-focused conversations, we are helping Victorians make more informed and safer choices". 65 per cent of service users spoke to a health professional about drug and alcohol safety and harm reduction for the first time. Image: Pexels "Our pill testing trial has already shown young people want the information that could keep them safe and now we'll support even more Victorians with our fixed site service in Fitzroy." During the service's trial period, almost 1400 samples were tested at five different festivals. 65 per cent of service users spoke to a health professional about drug and alcohol safety and harm reduction for the first time, and more than 30 per cent said they would take smaller amounts after these discussions. And in the UK, police and medical services at a festival said pill testing contributed to a 95 per cent decrease in drug-related hospital admissions. Image: iStock At a separate pill testing clinic in Canberra, one in 10 samples were discarded on-site once the service user learned what was in them. One third of people whose sample contained a different or additional drug from what they expected, or where results were inconclusive, said they 'definitely will not use' the illicit drug. And in the UK, police and medical services at a festival said pill testing contributed to a 95 per cent decrease in drug-related hospital admissions. Detection of lethal contaminants. Image: Unsplash Detection of lethal contaminants Despite Australia not experiencing the same level of fentanyl crisis as the US, the Australian Federal Police has made significant seizures of the opioid in the last three years, suggesting it may be cut into recreational drugs. Experts are also concerned about the growing presence of nitazenes in Australian wastewater. Canberra's CANTEST service identified a new variant with a high risk of overdose last year, which is 'one of the most potent drugs of its class ever detected.' The government said these drugs can be detected early and rapidly assessed through testing. The Fitzroy facility is staffed by chemists who analyse samples of substances, while trained harm reduction workers deliver test results and discuss possible risks. Image: Getty While still dangerous, being informed about the contents of their samples can help reduce the risk of overdose for service users. The Fitzroy facility is staffed by chemists who analyse samples of substances, while trained harm reduction workers deliver test results and discuss possible risks, service users' existing health conditions and potential interactions between drugs and prescription medications. In addition to saving lives and reducing drug harm, the service is hoped to decrease pressure on frontline services. Originally published as Australia's first fixed pill testing site is opening in Melbourne
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SRP presents to $25,000 to Boys & Girls Club
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – SRP Federal Credit Union presented Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta with a $25,000 check to support Summer Camp at the Oasis Club on Monday. 'We are incredibly thankful for SRP's continued support of our organization and for their relentless commitment to helping youth in our community,' said Kim Evans, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta. According to the Boys & Girls Club, the Oasis Club includes six weeks of programming based on a variety of themes and includes field trips, healthy meals and snacks, activities and academic support during the summer months. 'At SRP Federal Credit Union, we are committed to the credit union philosophy of 'People Helping People.' We strive to strengthen the communities we serve, and we are proud to help local students build a strong foundation for academic and financial success through programs like the Oasis Club Summer Camp,' said Shana Reid, Chief Development Officer of SRP Federal Credit Union. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
N.B. government to spend $1.2 million to support youth in care
New Brunswick's provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Monday July 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld The New Brunswick government is increasing the monthly financial support received by young people in the Youth Engagement and Young Adult Services program. The province announced Wednesday it would up its overall spending by nearly $1.2 million to support people aged 16 to 26 in care. That translates to a 19 per cent increase per person, or an extra $163 to $259 each month, beginning June 1. 'Every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed,' said Social Development Minister Cindy Miles in a news release. 'This investment is an intentional step to help youth and young adults thrive by giving them the support they need when they need it most – whether that's finishing their education, finding stable housing or entering the workforce.' The province says the program also provides like-skills training, mental health support and housing stability services with a goal of: reducing the number of young people relying on social assistance or experiencing homelessness increasing high school and post-secondary completion helping young people find long-term, meaningful employment 'This kind of investment is foundational for youth who have experienced care to achieve a stable transition to adulthood; it acknowledges the unique barriers they face and helps create a more equitable future,' said Melanie Doucet, director and project lead for the National Council of Youth in Care Advocates. 'Youth in and from care deserve a starting point that is equitable and above the poverty line and allows them to pursue their interests and dreams so that they can grow into thriving adults.' For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
17-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
WECYAC hosts discussion on Rising Youth Abuse and Crime in Windsor-Essex
The Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre, seen on May 16, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Mental Health Action Day energizes communities in Denver committed to emotional health
It is Mental Health Action Day, a day where CBS colleagues around the country join together with MTV to champion all the ways people are taking action for mental health for themselves, their loved ones, and the community. In Denver's La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood, young people with Youth on Record spent the day doing a "Mental Health First Aid" training. Among the topics discussed was the "A-S-K" method: Acknowledge - Support - and Keep in Touch. Research has shown that social connection is the strongest protective factor to prevent depression. The American Psychiatric Association found that people with high social support have a 63% lower risk of depression, compared to those with low social support. CBS Thursday's training was aimed at empowering young people to support their peers and neighbors. Moses Graytower embodies the mission of Youth on Record. The organization provides studio space where young people can play, perform and record music. The aim is to help creatives find their voice and value. Moses was quite young when he discovered his talent. He said, "If I could sing songs for people, I could probably make them feel good too. And I remember learning covers on youtube and singing them for my friends at recess every single day." CBS Now an integral part of this creative community, Moses says Youth on Record has made all the difference, "I never feel alone. You know, as an independent artist, it's really easy to feel like it's you versus everybody you know, you versus the institution, you versus the progress that you think you should be making. I come here, it's, there's people who have my back. You know, I have plenty of mentors who I owe truly my life to." Moses took part in Mental Health Action Day. Youth on Record's Mental Health and Wellness Manager Gavrielle Reyes said, "How can we teach them some tools and tricks that'll allow for them to better care for themselves? How can we empower them with language so that they can be reliable narrators for their own experiences?" Moses looks forward to having more tools to help others address emotions and challenges. He's grateful to Youth on Record - and calls it a big family that wants to see you win. "They were there for me in really hard times, and they let me know everything was gonna be okay, that I'm on my path, and I'm doing it exactly the way that it's supposed to be done," added Moses. CBS CBS Colorado, together with our parent company Paramount and M-T-V, provided a grant to Youth on Record to make the day's activities possible. CBS Colorado's Karen Leigh spent the afternoon meeting participants and attending the concert culminating the Action Day.
