Implementing the Blueprint for Action to Reduce Substance-Related Harms in Schools

The PHE Canada Podcast

In this episode, host Caleb Poulin speaks with principal Bryan Gard, educators Collin Dillon and Krystal Woodside, and students Sullivan Gaudet and Mary-Anne Gard from Westisle Composite High School on Prince Edward Island. Together, they share their experiences implementing the Blueprint for Action to prevent substance-related harms in their school community.

This episode offers valuable insights for administrators, educators, and pre-service teachers, showcasing how the Blueprint for Action and the Comprehensive School Health (CSH) framework can inform and transform school policies and practices. You'll hear real-life examples, including strategies the school has adopted to address common challenges like vaping in bathrooms and parental concerns.

The conversation covers the four intervention approaches from the Blueprint:

• Upstream Prevention
• Harm Reduction
• Stigma Reduction
• Equity-Oriented Approaches

Westisle Composite High School has been leading efforts to create safer, stigma-free spaces, engage student voice, and build strong community partnerships. The team highlights initiatives like their Student Leaders Day, where students educate younger peers about vaping, and they discuss how the Blueprint for Action’s key messages are guiding their comprehensive substance use education efforts.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

• How to leverage the CSH framework—Teaching and Learning, Social and Physical Environment, Policy, and Partnerships and Services—to support school-wide prevention initiatives.
• Real-world strategies that schools can adopt to tackle substance-related harms, such as creating trauma-informed practices and offering restorative alternatives to punitive measures.
• Overcoming challenges and barriers in substance use prevention while fostering a supportive, inclusive school culture.

Whether you're a school leader, educator, or pre-service teacher, this episode provides actionable insights into using the Blueprint for Action to build a healthier, more supportive school environment. Tune in for examples of success stories and practical advice on how to implement these approaches in your own school!

To learn more:

• Resources for Preventing Substance-Related Harms in Youth
• Comprehensive School Health - Joint Consortium for School Health

Implementing the Blueprint for Action to Reduce Substance-Related Harms in Schools Episode Transcript