Foundry Receives $2 Million in Annual Funding to Expand Substance Use Prevention Initiatives

Young people today are under more pressure than ever—from academic stress to the influence of social media. Recognizing the need for early support, BC Government’s Ministry of Health is investing $2 million annually to expand Foundry’s substance use prevention initiatives. In addition to services offered through Foundry centres and Foundry Virtual BC, Foundry is expanding the PreVenture Program in schools across BC, in partnership with school districts and regional health authorities.

The PreVenture® Program is an evidence-based program that helps students aged 12-18 years old develop skills to navigate common challenges like peer pressure, identity development and interpersonal conflict, all of which are key factors in helping to prevent early substance use and mental health challenges.  

Since launching in 2023 and as of this school year, the program has now expanded to more than 80 schools in over 20 B.C. school districts, through partnerships with districts and regional health authorities.

Educators have already seen a positive impact. One teacher noted that the PreVenture program created a shared language among students and helped them feel less isolated: “The program provided skills and tools to support youth to deal with hard choices and gave them stronger connections to trusted adults.”

By providing early intervention, the PreVenture Program has been shown to delay the onset of substance use and reduce use by up to 80%. It also helps lower anxiety, depressive symptoms, and even suicidal ideation among teens—making it a powerful step toward preventing crisis before it starts.

This program expansion reflects the commitment from the B.C. government to create a full continuum of mental health and substance use care that supports people of all ages—starting with the young people who need it most.

To read more about this announcement, read the full news release. Schools interested in implementing the PreVenture Program can learn more by connecting with Foundry’s PreVenture® Program Implementation team by visiting this link.