Our vision is to bring together the community of Robson Valley in creating equitable and accessible opportunities for recreation, leisure and community building, so Robson Valley youth of all ages have options for supportive environments and do not have the time, energy, or inclination to engage in substance use.
The Northern Lights: Securing a bright future for youth in Northern British Columbia through the Icelandic Prevention Model project focuses on youth in northern British Columbia (BC) from the community of Robson Valley. BC has been facing a public health emergency from toxic, unregulated drugs, which has become the leading cause of death for children and youth aged 10 to 18. This crisis is especially severe in the northern region, which has a younger population and struggles with increased youth substance use, poor mental health, and limited services. This project is working with local youth and a multi-generational community coalition of partners from various sectors to enhance community engagement and guide local action on substance use prevention. As the only project in northern BC, it seeks to assess the feasibility and conditions for implementing and adapting the IPM in this northern region and community in western Canada.
Northern Health Authority, a regional health authority in northern BC, is leading this project. This organization delivers health services for the population living across 32 municipalities, including 55 First Nations communities, and Métis and Inuit partners in northern BC. Leveraging existing networks and strong partnerships, particularly with First Nations communities, is a major strength of this organization, along with the potential for future expansion into additional communities.
Research collaborative
The research will be co-led by Dr. Shirley Giroux, a clinical counsellor, educator, and researcher based in Valemount, BC, Dr. Erica Koopmans (Provincial Health Services Authority), and Dr. Caroline Sanders (University of Northern BC). It is further supported by a multidisciplinary, collaborative research team: Dr. Roberto Sassi (UBC), Dr. Hasina Samji (Simon Fraser University), and Dr. Taru Manyanga (University of Northern BC).
The research will examine both the processes and impacts of adopting and adapting the IPM in rural BC, identifying how rural communities translate local data into meaningful, sustained action, and what this means for young people and the wider community. Led by Dr. Samji, quantitative data will be collected using the Youth Development Instrument (YDI). Qualitative data will be collected using multiple approaches, including storytelling and photovoice. Community members will be engaged throughout the research process. Ultimately, the study seeks to generate insights and promising practices that can strengthen resilience, support protective factors, and inform future prevention efforts in other rural contexts.
Lead organization: Northern Health Authority
Website: https://valsweb.digication.com/robson-valley-ipm/home
Contact: Megan Crawford, Regional Lead, Northern Health; Shirley Giroux, Local Lead
Location: Robson Valley (Valemount and McBride), Northern British Columbia
The Robson Valley is located on the traditional, unceded territories of the Lheidli T’enneh and Simpcw First Nations and includes approximately 3,000 people spread out along nearly 200 km of highway amidst the Rocky, Cariboo, and Monashee mountain ranges. The two largest communities, Valemount and McBride, are the focal points of this project.
This project is funded as part of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Program (YSUPP). Learn more here.