MediaSmarts, the Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization for digital and media literacy has developed some new guides that may be of interest to your parent councils.

​ As you are likely aware, British Columbia is currently experiencing an illegal drug overdose crisis. Nineteen youth between the ages of 14 and 18 years old were reported by the Coroner’s Office to have died from an illicit drug overdose since January 2016. We hope that with your help in speaking to the youth in your life as they go into year-end celebrations and new activities in the summer months, we can avoid preventable tragedies.  Attached please find a letter to parents and guardians from the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, regarding talking to youth about substance use.