Alcohol & Drug Services

Alcohol and Drug Services has undertaken a Cannabis education campaign aimed at informing the public that Marijuana is still a drug. According to the 2005 Alcohol and Drug Survey, Marijuana is the most commonly used drug in the Yukon by a segment of the population. The campaign, which included bus, print and radio advertisements, speaks to parents and youth.

Vision: Yukoners achieving freedom from the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Mission: Assisting individuals and communities in reducing the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs by providing quality addictions services.

Programs and Services

Prevention Services:

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and school-based prevention
Training, consultation and capacity building
Resource centre for allied professionals
Information resource for general public

Detoxification Services:

Safe withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs
Awareness/education sessions
Referral to ongoing treatment, self-help groups and other support services
Detox Centre always open

Treatment Services

The Treatment Services Unit at Alcohol and Drug Services offers three treatment options: Outpatient Treatment including a Wednesday afternoon support group, nine Inpatient Treatment programs a year and Youth treatment/counselling, prevention and education.

Outpatient Treatment Services

Our Outpatient Treatment service provides counselling, treatment, support and education for people who are looking for help regarding substance use issues. The following services are available.

Screening and assessment of alcohol and drug problems
Individual counselling and support to families
Pre-treatment counselling and preparation for Inpatient Treatment
Aftercare support following an Inpatient Treatment program
Self-help groups, and other support services
Recovery Support Group
Outreach counselling for Whitehorse agencies
A Counsellor available to Whitehorse medical clinics
Outreach counselling at Yukon College
Drop-in times for clients without appointments
Addiction/ Mental Health counselling/treatment for clients with concurrent disorders
Telehealth (Watson Lake) – Outreach counselling via video conferencing. Telehealth is designed to link addiction counsellors in Whitehorse with clients in Watson Lake via video conferencing. This is complemented by periodic community visits by counsellors to meet with clients face-to-face and liaise with community professionals.

Inpatient Treatment Programs

Alcohol and Drug Services offers nine 28-day, inpatient, gender-specific treatment programs a year.

Clients must be clean and sober for at least five days prior to the program start date. Pre-treatment detoxification services are available if necessary through the Detox Center.
The Inpatient Treatment programs are open to adult residents of the Yukon, who must submit an application form and a physician/nurse practitioner's referral form, and then participate in an intake interview with an intake counsellor. Intake interviews may be done by phone for applicants outside of Whitehorse.
Inpatient Treatment addresses the underlying biological processes, as well as the psychological, spiritual, behavioural and emotional aspects of the individual and his or her substance use issues.
Nine programs a year are offered

The following are the program dates for 2008:

January 6 - February 1, 2008 (Women's Program)
February 17 - March 14, 2008 (Men's Program)
March 23 - April 18, 2008 (Women's Program)
May 4-30, 2008 (Men's Program)
June 15 - July 11, 2008 (Women's Program)
July 27 - August 22, 2008 (Men's Program)
September 7 - October 3, 2008 (Women's Program)
October 19 - November 14, 2008 (Men's Program)
November 23 - December 19, 2008 (Women's Program)

Youth Services

Alcohol and Drug Services offers addiction prevention, education and counselling/treatment services to students in grades 5 to 12 in Whitehorse schools. The Youth Addiction Counsellors offer partnerships with community youth organizations to provide counselling, training and capacity building.

Youth Services offers:

Assessments, counselling, treatment and referrals to community support services
Support to parents and families
School-based prevention and counselling
Educational workshops for teachers, parents and students
Facilitation of alternative interventions
Assistance to community agencies and workers with in-services.
Assistance in youth treatment camps

Services located at:

6118 - 6th Avenue (Sarah Steele Building)
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1M9
(867) 667-5777

FAQs

How do I see a counsellor?

There are two ways to see a counsellor, either by booking an appointment with the front desk at the Sarah Steel building 6118-6th Ave (1-867-667-5777) or by utilising the weekly drop-in sessions every Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Please note that drop-in sessions end at 11:00 AM; therefore, in order to see a counsellor, the latest a client must check in is 10:30 AM.

How do I get into an Inpatient Treatment program?

The first step is to schedule an appointment with an outpatient counsellor for an assessment. The outpatient counsellor will then guide you through the application process. Persons who live in communities outside of Whitehorse can apply through their community health care service providers (i.e. Doctor, Nurse, as well as NNADAP workers, Wellness workers, or Regional Social worker), who will help complete the application package and arrange for an interview with the intake counsellor for the Inpatient Treatment program.

When do I have to apply to get into an Inpatient Treatment program?

The dates of the Inpatient Treatment programs are advertised throughout the year. A completed application for an upcoming program must received by Alcohol and Drug Services two weeks prior to the start of the program. Available spaces fill up quickly and applicants whose applications are received well before the deadline have a much better chance of securing a space.

What is the cost of services provided by Alcohol and Drug Services?

Alcohol and Drug Services is a branch of the Government of the Yukon and there is no charge for any of its services.