THUNDER BAY -- An official with the district health unit took the stand Friday at an inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations teens.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit director of health promotion Lynda Roberts highlighted the importance of promotion and prevention when addressing the overall well-being of youth.
Roberts said evidence shows the earlier youth are exposed to substances such as drugs, alcohol or tobacco, the higher the risk of harm. And it all has to do with the increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviour. She said schools have the opportunity to curb that engagement through prevention but in the case of Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, where six of the seven teens attended, she says they they lack the capacity to focus on prevention. Roberts said they have their hands tied with other pressing issues.
Roberts also talked about several prevention programs that DFC expressed interest in but due to lack of capacity, they were unable to implement.
The inquest will resume on Monday.
THUNDER BAY TELEVISION
