State of Northwestern Ontario secondary school programming for students affected by alcoholics

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine programming available in Northwestern Ontario (NWO) secondary schools to support students who are affected by someone else’s drinking. Data on programming available in NWO secondary schools were collected through a mail survey of secondary school counselors and follow-up phone interviews of select counselors. The survey results showed that few students reported to counselors that they were affected by someone else’s drinking and that no programming is available in any of the secondary schools across NWO. Both of these results point to potential problems. Research points to alcoholism being prevalent in Ontario, this means that students are being affected. If students are not reporting alcoholism in their home they are slipping through the system without help and since administration doesn’t know about it they do not implement programming to help these students. Further research needs to done to address the issue of administrators’ awareness of the troubles and restrictions facing implementation of in-school programming. A focus group of counselors to share issues and resources would be helpful. Also a survey of students on the existence of problems they face and their own awareness of programs is needed.