A-DES Has New Board Chair, New Office

Alcohol-Drug Education Service is on the move, literally.

The non-profit agency, which has been “helping keep kids drug free” for 58 years, begins a partial partnership this month with Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS) at the Guildford Youth Resource Centre in Surrey.

A-DES is downsizing and will be sharing office space at the centre while continuing to provide preventive drug education and resources under new Board Chair Bill McMichael.

Dr. McMichael was unanimously elected to succeed Jean Fraser at A-DES’ 58th Annual General Meeting last month.

Dr. Fraser resigned from the Board of Directors in advance of her move to Victoria, where she will be close to her daughter and soon-to-be grandchild.

McMichael is a longtime A-DES Board member and professor at the University of British Columbia who is also active in a number of social causes and community activities, including Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

Other officers chosen at the AGM were Judi Lalonde as vice chair, Chirssy Serraglio as treasurer, and Lee anne Hanson as secretary.

Since early spring, A-DES and PCRS have been exploring ways to collaborate in prevention initiatives, and A-DES was also seeking ways to reduce operating costs. The PCRS offer to join them in Surrey – and be surrounded by a vibrant, youth-oriented resource of many facets – “was too good to pass up,” according to McMichael.

The phone number, email addresses and website for Alcohol-Drug Education Service remain the same, but the agency’s new mailing address is #204 – 14727 108th Ave., Surrey, BC V3R 1V9.

Before leaving its office in Port Coquitlam, A-DES donated some of its office furniture, supplies and equipment to PCRS’ Broadway Youth Resource Centre and Dave Denault’s StreetHope program.

Based in Chilliwack, StreetHope is a privately funded effort that assists men with addictions-recovery and housing issues.