MAKE A DIFFERENCE, SOCIAL WORKERS URGED

Social workers and youth counsellors were challenged to be more than a
"just a" in their efforts to help young people overcome drugs and other
substance abuse.

People who see themselves as "just a" counsellor or social worker rarely do
their best work, Gerry Lougheed told delegates to a Sudbury seminar on
substance use Monday.

All it takes to "make a difference in a world that is sometimes too
indifferent" is for a person to strive for the best.

It’s all a question of attitude, said Lougheed.

"By trying our best, ultimately we influence our lives." The day-long
conference brought together young people, as well as representatives of a
number of Sudbury-based community agencies, to take about stress in young
people lives and how they sometimes try to combat that stress by turning to
drugs and alcohol.

One of the aims of the conference, said chair Lois Stargratt, is to
recognize how prevalent stress is and to learn how to deal with it in a
positive manner.

Young people, particularly facing today’s dismal job market, face more
stress now that they may at any other time in the lives, said Stargratt.

"We are hoping some of the youth that come here can take some of the things
they learn and apply it to their daily lives," she said.