I wish I had taken the photo at the top of this article. It is a good time of year for the aurora but it has been cloudy and snowing so I’ll just imagine that is what is going on above the clouds.
The Community here has been very welcoming and the kids and adults we have been talking to have been very receptive. When addiction and substance abuse issues are approached with the attitude that “it” is the problem, not the person that is the problem it is a lot easier to help people change their thinking. And changing thinking is what we are always trying to do.
The Diamond Jenness Secondary School is a fabulous building, It was designed Calgary born Metis/Blackfoot architect Douglas Cardinal is all curves, no corners and that organic design seems to be reflected in the caring and supportive atmosphere that is created by the school staff and administration. The kids seemed used to being respected and of course gave that back.
Ariann’s talks went very well, her youth and enthusiasm for getting better is infectious. Hearing what happened in her life and seeing how she is doing now makes it easy for kids who are heading the wrong to believe that can turn things around. Her talk also gives a great prevention message to those who aren’t sure which way to go.
We also had an interesting session with some good questions at the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre, again some good people who, for the most part were being negatively affected by their substance use. Substance abuse changes brain function and if that part isn’t function right then we don’t function right.
More tomorrow.
