**DSB1 NEWS RELEASE**

Timmins High and Vocational School is hosting the KNOW MORE Tour on October 19th, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The tour is a nation-wide campaign to educate young people on the serious and growing opioid crisis in Canada. Students will have the opportunity to engage with five digital stations, where they will learn more about opioids including information on:

1. Overdoses: The signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and how to help
2. Fentanyl: What is legal vs. illegal, what are the dangers
3. Opioids The dangers of opioids, habit forming
4. Stigma: Learning what words to use and not use
5. Naloxone Learning the effects of the product and what is the Good Samaritan Law

In response to the opioid crisis, District School Board Ontario North East is partnering with the Porcupine Health Unit and Timiskaming Health Unit to support families and students and to raise awareness about drug use in our community.

“We are in the midst of a public health emergency. It is crucial that we take the time to talk with our youth so they understand that overdoses do not discriminate and that it is a dangerous time to experiment with drugs” says Director of Education, Lesleigh Dye. Dye adds that “these activities and conversations will support good decision-making, reduce the stigma related to opioid use and create safer schools and communities.”

The KNOW MORE Tour will be travelling to high schools across Canada. This tour is part of the work that the DSBONE is doing on Overdose Prevention and Education.

Filed under: Local News