ReThinking Drinking - A Community Conversation about Alcohol Use

ReThinking Drinking - A Community Conversation about Alcohol Use

Help shape a healthier Kamloops community! Join us for a day of education and conversation around alcohol use.

By United Way BC

Date and time

Monday, November 25 · 9am - 4pm PST

Location

Moccasin Square Garden

357 Chief Alex Thomas Way Kamloops, BC V2H Canada

Agenda

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Welcome & Introductions

Kristi Rintoul, Director of Community Impact, United Way


We’ll kick off the morning with a warm welcome and a quick rundown of what to expect. You’ll get a feel for the importance of addressing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in a way that works for real people...

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

What is AUD? Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder

Lori Motluk & Jan Biega, CAUDS


AUD can affect people in many ways, and this talk will break down what it is, how it shows up in everyday life, and why it’s a treatable condition. You'll come away with a better understanding of how...

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Public Health Approaches to Alcohol

Medical Health Officer, Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi


Ever wondered what’s being done at a community level to deal with alcohol-related issues? Public health experts will tell you about awareness campaigns and other programs to reduce the harms from dri...

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Break

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Local Care Options: Navigating Treatment and Support Services

Ditte Williams & Jessica Mensinger, Interior Health


Finding the right help for AUD can feel overwhelming, but this session will make it clearer. We’ll talk about the services available in your area, from counselling to emergency services. You’ll walk ...

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

A Doctor's Perspective: Alcohol Use and Primary Care


Hear directly from a local doctor about what it’s like for patients seeking treatment for AUD. This session will cover how doctors figure out the best treatment plans, including medications that can ...

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Real Stories: Personal Experiences with Recovery


This is where we get personal. You’ll hear from people who have been through AUD recovery, sharing their journeys—the ups, the downs, and what helped them along the way. This session will offer real-...

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Community Discussion Pt 1

JP Baker, Vantage Point

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Break

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Community Discussion Pt 2

JP Baker, Vantage Point

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Closing Remarks

About this event

  • Event lasts 7 hours

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is treatable, but awareness is key. Your involvement in this workshop is a step towards creating supportive, collaborative, and informed community-led solutions.

Why Your Presence Matters
We often turn to family, friends, and local leaders for support. Your experiences and insights can connect with others in ways that resonate deeply and spark meaningful conversations.

What To Expect
This workshop features morning information sessions from local care providers and healthcare experts, followed by a complementary lunch, and then a community discussion on how we can foster a healthier relationship with alcohol in our community.

Together, we'll identify how we can more effectively:

  • spread understanding of alcohol use disorder as a treatable health condition
  • support more people to feel comfortable accessing care options
  • shift community drinking culture

    FREE -- with support from the BC Ministry for Mental Health.

Co-hosted by The Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society and The United Way BC.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to attend?

Yes! The event - including food and beverage - is entirely complimentary.

Is lunch provided?

Yes! Food and beverage is entirely complimentary. There will be coffee/tea in the morning and lunch provided by a local caterer midday.

What do you hope to achieve?

Our goal is to bring together leaders from all different sectors of the community to facilitate a more compassionate and better informed society for people with AUD. We aim to make positive changes in our community's relationship with alcohol.

Who is this workshop intended for?

This workshop aims to bring together people with a shared interest in fostering a healthier relationship with alcohol through community-led solutions, education, and support for treatment options.

Will there be opportunities for networking and community engagement?

Yes! This event is designed to bring people together to share ideas, collaborate on solutions, and build a stronger, more inclusive community. There will be cross-section of leaders from various public and private sectors in attendance.

Will there be resources available?

Yes! Information sharing is encouraged. There will be service and informational pamphlets available, as well as business cards for local people and organizations that work in the field. Please bring any resources you would like to share with the community.

Can I attend virtually?

Unfortunately not at the moment but please visit www.cauds.org for plenty of great resources and information!

Who is sponsoring this event?

This community workshop is a collaboration between the BC United Way, the BC Interior Community Foundation and the Canadian Society for Alcohol Use Disorder, with generous support from the BC Ministry for Mental Health.

Organized by