Drug Awareness Service

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Aboriginal Shield Program

The Aboriginal Shield Program is a substance abuse prevention initiative designed specifically for Aboriginal youth.

The program content was developed in partnership with the Nechi Institute on Alcohol and Drug Education, and is oriented to supplement existing substance abuse education programs. Police officers may use this culturally-specific package to educate Aboriginal youth about substance abuse issues.

The resource material consists of four teaching modules pertaining to Aboriginal culture, substance abuse, prevention and informed and responsible decision-making. An "Officers' Training Guide", and "Officers' Educational Cultural Reference Manual" are also included. As of April 1996, twenty training workshops were delivered to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal police officers, community leaders, health care workers and education specialists serving Aboriginal communities across Canada.