Alcohol

Educating youth about substance use is important to help them develop skills and knowledge to make healthier choices.

Alcohol is the most common drug used by high school students. Research demonstrates that delayed onset of alcohol use is vital to healthy brain development and good mental health. It is important for youth to be informed of what is known about the harms alcohol use during adolescence can increase the risk of negative health outcomes and social harm.

In Ontario, 32% of students in grades 7 to 12 report using alcohol at least once in the past year, while about 8% of students reported binge drinking (five or more drinks on one occasion) at least once in the past month. Alcohol use by youth increases dramatically between grades 9 to 12. Among the grades, students in grade 11 and 12 are most likely to use alcohol (OSDUHS, 2021). In Windsor-Essex, 11% reported binge drinking in the past month, 9% reported riding in a vehicle when the driver had been drinking alcohol, in the past month and 12% reported their alcohol use has increased because of COVID-19 (COMPASS, 2022).

Using the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School framework, schools, school boards, parents, and community partners can work together to develop healthy school environments that promote and support student well-being.

Alcohol resources and supports are organized below following this framework.


Resources & Information for:

Lessons and Activities

OPHEA Healthy Schools Certification- (French Version) Certification is a way to help promote the health and well-being of students, staff, and the school community. Contact your schools nurse for more information on how they can support your school

  • RNAO’s-Youth Mental Health & Addiction Champion Toolkit - Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) partnered with public health units, School Boards, SMH ASSIST and provincial youth based organizations to develop a peer based youth mental health initiative. The partnership resulted in the development of the toolkit to support the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based, youth-led mental health promotion and substance misuse prevention initiatives in school settings. The toolkit, includes guiding frameworks, how to build your team, youth training content, event planning, and evaluation tips.
  • How young adults can reduce risks related to alcohol use- Health Canada: tips on how to reduce risks when drinking.
  • Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines: If you choose to drink, these guidelines can help you decide when, where, why, and how.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • Blueprint for Action: Preventing substance-related harms among youth through a Comprehensive School approach – This toolkit is for school communities, those working in the education system, and those who support youth, in addition to Canadian school stakeholders. The Blueprint model supports school community members in planning and carrying out a wide range of strategies for preventing substance-related harms among youth.  These strategies include upstream prevention, harm reduction, stigma reduction, and equity-oriented approaches.
  • SmartWheels- MADD Canada: Mobile classroom interactive presentation for grades 7 & 8 students about the risks of experimenting with alcohol and drugs. It also includes information about how they can avoid becoming passengers in vehicles with impaired drivers. Teaching resources are available for download prior to presentation for classroom use. Currently only available in English. 
  • Project Red Ribbon- MADD Canada: campaign committing to driving sober. Campaign runs yearly from November 1st to January 3rd.
  • Final Play- MADD Canada: School presentation from MADD Canada bringing awareness to impaired driving (alcohol and drug) and risk reduction messaging for students in grades 7 through 12. Teaching resources available for download prior to presentation for classroom use.  Available in French.
  • Health Canada has created posters with alcohol messaging that can be downloaded and used in your school:

Visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation - Impaired Driving  website to learn more about the laws. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous and illegal. Know what counts as impaired driving – and the penalties you could face for it – before you get behind the wheel.

School Board Policies

School boards can set policy that influence the social & environmental norms students’ experience. Please refer to your specific school board and/or school’s policies and code of conduct on alcohol and substance use for further information. Individual schools should speak to their school boards about whether they can develop individual school policies.

  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- High school students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Get Help with Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions in Windsor Essex County: list of local and provincial resources.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations.
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • SAPACCY Program- The Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Youth: Mental health and substance use services for individuals who identify as black and between 12-29 years of age. Call 519-253-8481 or visit wechc.org.
  • ConnexOntario – Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call (1-866-531-2600), email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services. 
  • Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • Information for Parents Impaired Driving- MADD Canada: information on how to talk to child about alcohol and impaired driving.
  • Drug Free Canada- Parent Support Hub: 24/7 access to support from Drug Free Kids Canada to help you prevent/address/overcome a young persons problematic substance use by phone or online chat.
  • Saying When App: an app created by the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health that provides step-by-step directions for youth to take charge of their drinking. It is available for free download for iPhone and Android phone users.
  • Health811: Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), a free, secure, confidential service Ontarians can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from qualified health professionals, such as registered nurses, locate local health services. Can access resources or chat live online.
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- High school students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Get Help with Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions in Windsor Essex County: list of local and provincial resources.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations.
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • SAPACCY Program- The Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Youth: Mental health and substance use services for individuals who identify as black and between 12-29 years of age. Call 519-253-8481 or visit wechc.org.
  • ConnexOntario – Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call (1-866-531-2600), email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services. 
  • Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • Information for Parents Impaired Driving- MADD Canada: information on how to talk to child about alcohol and impaired driving.
  • Drug Free Canada- Parent Support Hub: 24/7 access to support from Drug Free Kids Canada to help you prevent/address/overcome a young persons problematic substance use by phone or online chat.
  • Saying When App: an app created by the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health that provides step-by-step directions for youth to take charge of their drinking. It is available for free download for iPhone and Android phone users.
  • Health811: Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), a free, secure, confidential service Ontarians can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from qualified health professionals, such as registered nurses, locate local health services. Can access resources or chat live online.
  • RNAO’s-Youth Mental Health & Addiction Champion Toolkit - Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) partnered with public health units, School Boards, SMH ASSIST and provincial youth based organizations to develop a peer based youth mental health initiative. The partnership resulted in the development of the toolkit to support the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based, youth-led mental health promotion and substance misuse prevention initiatives in school settings. The toolkit, includes guiding frameworks, how to build your team, youth training content, event planning, and evaluation tips.
  • How young adults can reduce risks related to alcohol use- Health Canada: tips on how to reduce risks when drinking.
  • Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines: If you choose to drink, these guidelines can help you decide when, where, why, and how.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • Blueprint for Action: Preventing substance-related harms among youth through a Comprehensive School approach – This toolkit is for school communities, those working in the education system, and those who support youth, in addition to Canadian school stakeholders. The Blueprint model supports school community members in planning and carrying out a wide range of strategies for preventing substance-related harms among youth.  These strategies include upstream prevention, harm reduction, stigma reduction, and equity-oriented approaches.
  • SmartWheels- MADD Canada: Mobile classroom interactive presentation for grades 7 & 8 students about the risks of experimenting with alcohol and drugs. It also includes information about how they can avoid becoming passengers in vehicles with impaired drivers. Teaching resources are available for download prior to presentation for classroom use. Currently only available in English. 
  • Project Red Ribbon- MADD Canada: campaign committing to driving sober. Campaign runs yearly from November 1st to January 3rd.
  • Final Play- MADD Canada: School presentation from MADD Canada bringing awareness to impaired driving (alcohol and drug) and risk reduction messaging for students in grades 7 through 12. Teaching resources available for download prior to presentation for classroom use.  Available in French.
  • Health Canada has created posters with alcohol messaging that can be downloaded and used in your school:
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- High school students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Get Help with Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions in Windsor Essex County: list of local and provincial resources.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations.
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • SAPACCY Program- The Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Youth: Mental health and substance use services for individuals who identify as black and between 12-29 years of age. Call 519-253-8481 or visit wechc.org.
  • ConnexOntario – Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call (1-866-531-2600), email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services. 
  • Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • Information for Parents Impaired Driving- MADD Canada: information on how to talk to child about alcohol and impaired driving.
  • Drug Free Canada- Parent Support Hub: 24/7 access to support from Drug Free Kids Canada to help you prevent/address/overcome a young persons problematic substance use by phone or online chat.
  • Saying When App: an app created by the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health that provides step-by-step directions for youth to take charge of their drinking. It is available for free download for iPhone and Android phone users.
  • Health811: Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), a free, secure, confidential service Ontarians can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from qualified health professionals, such as registered nurses, locate local health services. Can access resources or chat live online.