The Princeton community is invited to view an award-winning local film about new treatment options to curb cravings for alcohol.

A local physician and alcohol use disorder experts will be able to answer questions after the 1/2 hour film.

Where: Rivierside Centre, 148 Old Hedley Rd
When: November 15, 6:30 – 8: p-m

Link to the film trailer:  https://youtu.be/KB7WhqBzwZU

Six mocktails were served:

РPrinceton Pi̱a
– Highway 3 Spritzer
– Mango Tango
– Princeton Strong
– Similkameen Strong
– Two Rivers Treat

From these six, the favourite of the public was the Princeton Piña.

SIMILKAMEEN SPOTLIGHT, Andrea DeMeer

     If you enjoy free food, beverages and entertainment, mark your calendar for the Thank Goodness it’s Free (TGIF) event, Friday, Aug. 11, beginning at 5 p.m.
The Princeton Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Group will host the party in Veterans Square, to highlight the enjoyment of non-alcoholic beverges or ‘mocktails’.
Group chair Ed Staples said the gathering is a family event, with activities for children planned by the Princeton Arts Council, as well as a contest with a grand prize of a $200 gift card from Fletcher Home Building Centre. Local band The Contractors will perform.

   “The purpose of the TGIF party is to provide Princeton residents with information on AUD and treatment options in an enjoyable and relaxed setting,” Staples told the Spotlight.
The group was formed about a year ago, in collaboration with the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society.
Its goal is to provide support for people struggling with AUD, and to provide education about treatment option.
Staples said he believes the local efforts can be a model for communities across the country. “We envision a future in which the community of Princeton leads the way in reducing alcohol-related harms”, he said.

www.similkameenspotlight

With many thanks to our donors:
– Canadian Alcohol Used Disorder Society
– South Okanagan Similkameen Small Neighbourhood Grants
– Valley First Credit Union
– Princeton Wood Preservers
– Trottier Foundation
– Support Our Health Care
– Sansorium
– Princeton Community Health Table

In 2020, in response to growing concerns with mental health and substance use services, the Support Our Health Care Society formed the Princeton Community Health Table (PCHT). The PCHT website can be found here: https://bit.ly/PCHT.

The PCHT has focused on mental health and substance use in Princeton and Area. With the assistance of a grant by Weyerhaeuser, the PCHT sponsored 15 individuals to receive Mental Health First Aid training through the Mental Health Commission of Canada (www.mhfa.ca).

The PCHT developed business size cards that includes information on what support is available for mental health and substance use. These cards will be widely distributed throughout the community.

In 2022 the PCHT started to collaborate with the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society (CAUDS) https://www.cauds.org/ and on Nov. 16th, 2022 community leaders, representing a wide variety of occupations and organizations in Princeton, BC, came together to hear about new treatment options for alcohol use disorder and with the help of CAUDS started a community conversation about existing supports within the community, and ways they could work together to support more people to access care for alcohol use disorder. View a summary of the event here.

Since the workshop, the Princeton Community Health Table has formed an AUD Working group to keep the conversation going. This group has a plan for events and activities in Princeton that work towards reducing alcohol-related harms and supporting a culture of moderation. So far, they have engaged high school students, volunteers and town council. Planning is underway for a TGIF (Thank Goodness It’s Free!!) event for August 11, starting at 5:00 p.m. at Veteran’s Square.