March 29, 2010 - 7:52am
Third and fourth year nursing students at Vancouver Island University hope to raise awareness about substance abuse and increase compassion towards people with addictions.
The students, part of a VIU student-led action group called Faces of Addiction, will unveil a new website they’ve created at a student research symposium April 1.
“Our website will be a useful community resource for anyone seeking information about substance abuse and addictions,” said Nursing student Guillaume Jacques. “We want to promote public education and awareness to reduce prejudice and misunderstandings towards people with addictions.”
The website will include a detailed listing of local psychologists, counselors, treatment centres and other agencies that support for people with addictions and their families. The site will also include a discussion forum and links to videos, documentaries and other research by VIU nursing students.
“There are many myths concerning people with addictions,” added Jacques. “Society is quick to make judgements. However, we must look at the context within which a person has become addicted. Usually they are dealing with physical or emotional pain, often stemming from childhood. They need compassion and understanding.”
Jacques said research shows that since 2004 there has been an increase in the number of online searches related to addiction. “That’s why creating this website and getting it up and running is a critical part of our work on the Faces of Addiction group this semester,” he said.
Faces of Addiction is a community project that forms part of Nursing 314 and 431 courses taught by VIU professors Stephanie Buckingham and Maggie Kennedy.
“Student groups work with an instructor on a variety of projects in the community,” Kennedy explained. “Currently there are three practice streams, loosely grouped into three themes: addictions, wellness and environment. Students choose the area that interests them the most. We engage students in projects that help them learn and apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to a variety of real-life concerns.”
The Faces of Addiction group was started by VIU Nursing students three years ago. It evolved into a permanent student-led group with a mission to facilitate “community awareness regarding addiction, while improving access to services and resources for individuals with addiction issues.”
Students working on Faces of Addiction have been involved in various activities from organizing community forums, to fundraising, to distributing winter clothes, shoes and socks to the homeless. “They have also lobbied federal, provincial and municipal politicians for better services for persons with addictions and conducted research in our community using Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) funds,” said Buckingham.
“They have also created rather remarkable social marketing videos that aim to change attitudes,” she added. “Needless to say the learning has been significant as they become global citizens.”
The public is invited to attend the Nursing student Community and Societal research symposium April 1 from 9 to 11:30 am in the Malaspina Theatre building at VIU’s Nanaimo campus. In addition to the Faces of Addiction website launch, third year students will present their work on different community projects they have been involved with this semester. Topics include: Health promotion in public schools, Alcohol and Drug Awareness, Mental Health and Homelessness, Food Security, and other determinants of health.
To check out the new Faces of Addiction website, visit http://FacesOfAddiction.ca
Tags: In the Community
