About

What is the Scared Straight Tour?

The Scared Straight Tour is a 48 hour tour of Vancouver, B.C.’s Downtown Eastside which is home to North America’s most infamous skid row. The objective of the tour is to give youth (13 and up) a reality check in terms of where they could wind up if they abuse drugs and alcohol.

 

There have been other Scared Straight programs in the past, is this program similar?

While there are some similarities with Scared Straight program which originated from the U.S.A., this program is very different on a number of levels. The original SS programs involved bringing youth into the prison system and getting inmates to intimidate the youth into avoiding a life of crime. These program had limited success because the youth were aware that the inmates were trying to intimidate them and were putting on a bit of a performance in order to convince them to avoid a life of crime (i.e.: the encounters with the inmates were pre-arranged and their dialogue scripted).

Our program addresses addiction, not crime, and the encounters with the residents are raw, spontaneous and unscripted. The youth quickly realize that what they are seeing and hearing is not an attempt to intimidate them, but rather, an opportunity to witness the brutal reality of what addiction can do to a person. What the kids get exposed to is the truth, and when faced with the truth, there is no denying its validity. .This is the reason that the program is so effective.

Our program is called the Scared Straight Tour not because it mimics what was done in the past, but because when people hear the name “Scared Straight” they immediately understand the general idea of what the program is about.

 

The Downtown Eastside

Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is home to 6,500 drug addicts and 2000 homeless people. It is the poorest postal code in Canada, and the largest, and worst, skid row in all of North America. While many ordinary people call the Eastside home, a great majority of the residents are drug addicts, drug-dealers, alcoholics, sex-trade workers, homeless people, and people with mental health issues. The concentration of these people in a small area has created a “ghetto-type” environment where drug abuse, homelessness, violence, prostitution, and abuse of all kinds are everyday occurrences. People in the area often greet newcomers by saying, “Welcome to Hell!”

 

What will participants see?

On our tours we hold nothing back. Participants will see people buying, using (including injecting) and selling drugs. They will see sex-trade workers plying their trade, homeless people sleeping in doorways and parks, paramedics attending to emergencies (including drug-overdoses), and police officers enforcing the law. The youth will have a chance talk to all these people as we encourage the locals to interact with our groups. The group will hear about how horrible life is down on skid row and how easy it is to get trapped there. When it comes to addiction, the participants will hear how for most addicts it all started by drinking alcohol and smoking pot on weekends. Residents of the area will often walk by one of our groups and just yell out in passing that the kids should stay in school and away from drugs. The interactions are raw and unscripted and very powerful.

We also take our groups to treatment centers, soup kitchens, and emergency services and arrange for a variety of different people to come and talk to the participants, including sex-trade workers, HIV positive patients, homeless people, addicts in recovery, and outreach workers.

 

What effect does it have on the participants?

The majority of our participants are teenagers who may, or may not, be experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Ninety percent of the youth we surveyed stated that they wanted to stay away from drugs and alcohol after being on the tour. Many of them have even become advocates for a clean and sober lifestyle and go home and try to convince their friends to stay from drugs and alcohol (see testimonials page).

While there is no guarantee that this new found determination will deter them from ever abusing drugs or alcohol for the rest of their lives, it is certainly an excellent step in the right direction. In fact, many people with pertinent credentials believe this to be the best drug and alcohol prevention program going (see testimonials section on home page).

 

Will my child be safe?

When we do the tours, we only move about in large groups of at least 15, and we have at least 4 of our own chaperons accompany the group on all outings; we don’t go into back alleys at night; and the participants all get an orientation before the beginning of the tour as to the “do’s and don’ts”. The residents of the Eastside are familiar with our program (we’ve been giving the tours since 2006) and most of them want to help as they do not want to see the kids wind up down there. The residents also want to see the program continue as we try to help out the residents by providing food, blankets, assistance and cash donations to agencies while we are on the tour. Consequently, the word has gone out on the streets to not mess around with the Scared Straight Tour. While this has always been sufficient to ensure everyone’s safety, we ask all participants, or their parents, to sign a waiver before being allowed on the tour.

 

Chaperons

While we do provide our own chaperons when we are actually walking around the Downtown Eastside, we ask that groups who have arranged for a tour bring their own chaperons with them to supervise the youth while not on the tour. We required and allow 1 chaperon for every 6 youth. Parents who are wishing to send their kids on a tour, must have them accompanied by a chaperon who will supervise them for the duration of the tour.

 

Waivers

We have never had anyone hurt while in our program, but parents, guardians and participants must understand that there is an element of risk involved in going on the tour. We are going into an area that is fraught with crime and there a possibility, however small, that someone at some point could get hurt. For this reason, it is necessary to ask everyone to sign waivers. We believe that the benefits of the program far outweigh the small risk involved in coming on the tour, but each participant, or their legal guardian, must be willing to assume that responsibility themselves.

All participants below the age of 19 need to have their parents, or legal guardian, sign a waiver in order to come on the tour. Participants age 19 and up sign their own waiver. The waiver is a legal and binding document that states that you understand that there are some risks involved with this type of program and that you ,are willing to assume those risks and not hold the program responsible should anything happen to you or your child; that you certify that you, or the youth, is fully capable, ready and willing to participate in the program and is not at risk of running away; finally that you waive any right to make any claims against the program and forgo your right to sue. (Waivers can be found on the “Forms and Brochure” page).

 

What does it cost?

The program fee is $325 per participant and $125 per chaperon

This includes:

-The Scared Straight Tour itself;

–Accommodations and meals while on the tour (2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch);

-A T-shirt

-On-going support and monitoring of paticipants (see the “After the Tour” page for additional information about this service);

We also ask participants to bring a donation for the residents and/or homeless people of the Downtown Eastside. Blankets, used, but clean, clothing in good condition, or food are excellent items to donate. Some groups prepare lunch bags to bring on the tour with them. This is an important component and helps to ensure the success of our program. We want the residents of the area to welcome the youth into their community and not become offended at having large groups of kids touring through the area. Asking participants to bring donations is an excellent way to maintain good relations with the people who call the Eastside home. All blankets and clothes must be washed and cleaned before bringing them with you and they must be in good condition.

 

Method of Payment

We are only accepting checks at this point.

 

Transportation

All transportation is the sole responsibility of the participants. You must arrange for transportation to and while you are in Vancouver.

 

Accommodations and Meals

Participants will be housed at the Vancouver Hostel on either Jericho Beach in Kitsilano or Burnaby Street in Downtown Vancouver. Be prepared that hostels are nosier and less private than hotel rooms. Earplugs are highly recommended.

While the program fee covers the cost of the accommodations for 2 nights, the participants are basically on their own while at the hostel and are not the responsibility of the Scared Straight Program.

The participants usually stay in dorms, either 4 person dorms or larger, depending on the location. We try to segregate the participants from other hostel residents and depending on the hostel, they may be separated by gender. It is the responsibility of the participants and their chaperons to ensure that the sleeping arrangements are suitable and safe for everyone. Usually the groups all know each other and are comfortable with these arrangements.

Bathrooms and showers are communal but segregated by sex.

The hostel staff, who are present 24 hours/day are able to deal with any situation should one arise.

Participants will be fed while in the program. While meals tend to be simple affairs, they are tasty, nutritious and filling. Breakfast is a continental style meal (cereals, toast, muffins, fruit, juice). Lunch usually consists of eating at the one of the local food kitchens in the Downtown Eastside (this is arranged so that participants get to experience what it’s like to have to eat in soup kitchens like many of the homeless people do). Dinner will be a hot meal one night and pizza and salad the other.

Is my child an appropriate candidate for the program?

Our program is appropriate for a number of different types of kids, but there are some important points you should be aware of. First of all, the Scared Straight Tour is primarily an education and prevention program. This means that it is most effective with youth who are not hardcore drug users already. Youth who are at a vulnerable age, or who might thinking of, or actually experimenting with drugs or alcohol are the ones for whom the program is most likely to be effective.

However, we have had many hardcore drug users who have come on our tours and many of them have subsequently either quit using altogether, or significantly slowed down their using. While a treatment program is perhaps the best alternative, the Scared Straight Tour may be enough to set them on the right track.

Also keep in mind that participants need to be able to function and participate in our program. This means that they need to have the behavioural, mental, and physical capacity to engage in all our activities. A youth who is completely rebellious and uncooperative is not an appropriate referral for this program. The same is true for someone who cannot mentally pay attention to what he/she is being exposed to, or someone who cannot keep up with the group physically.

It is possible that we can accept special needs youth, but you should contact our program and discuss your situation with our staff.

Note regarding mandated participants: we are able to accept either mandated individuals or groups but please contact the Scared Straight Program to make the necessary arrangements. Appropriate mandated referral sources include: the Court system, Youth Corrections Services, Probation Services, Ministry for Children and Family Development, etc.

Note regarding runaway risks: we cannot be expected to insure that youth will not runaway while in our program. All participants must sign a waiver to come on the program which states that we cannot be held responsible should someone decide to run off while in our program. Should a youth be at risk to runaway, it is the responsibility of the parents, or legal guardian, to provide a chaperon to stay with the youth for the duration of the entire program.

 

Sign-up options and Scheduling

The tours are appropriate for a number of different types of groups. They include: school groups (both mainstream and alternative), sports teams, youth clubs, church groups, and mandated participants to name a few. First Nation communities regularly send groups to our program.

There are a number of ways to arrange to come on a tour. Many communities, or organizations, simply recruit an appropriate size group and arrange for a bus to transport them. Group size can range from 12-40 people. Groups of less than 12 can also register for a tour but will have to be flexible in terms of a date as we will need to arrange for another small group to join up with theirs in order to make up one larger group.

A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total cost is required to schedule a group tour. The remainder of the program fees are payable in full prior to the beginning of the tour. If paying with an un-certified check, arrangements have to be made prior to booking the tour. Deposits will only be refunded should the Scared Straight program have to cancel a tour.

 

Individuals

Individuals are also able to sign-up for the tours. You simply need to contact the program and find out when there is a tour that could suit your schedule. You simply show up at the agreed upon time and join a group that is scheduled for that time. Individuals (those not part of their own group) must be accompanied by an adult (a chaperon) who will supervise them for the duration of the tour. Chaperons are charged $125.00 to cover the cost of meals, accommodations, etc.

A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required for individuals to register for the tour. The remainder of the program fees are payable in full prior to the beginning of the tour. If paying with an un-certified check, arrangements have to be made prior to booking the tour.

 

Scheduling

Contact the program to schedule a tour for your group.

Shorter tours can also be arranged for a lower cost.

 

Cancellation and Refund Policy

All deposits are non-refundable unless the cancellation is initiated by the Scared Straight Program (i.e.: in the event that WE have to cancel the tour on the agreed upon date). Should you have to cancel, we will do our best to re-schedule your tour date so that you don’t lose your deposit. Please note however that our ability to do so is limited by space availability as well as our waitlist. Each cancellation will have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis but our staff will do everything in their power to accommodate you. Note that it is much easier to reschedule an individual than a group.

 

What to bring

Participants need only bring the personal items they will need for the 48 hours they are with us. Clothing, personal hygiene products, a towel, and a bit of pocket money should be the only items necessary. We provide all the bedding and food (we will have towels for participants who don’t have their own). Should someone have food allergies we should be able to cater to their diet, but please let us know in advance).

Participants also need to note that they MUST BE dressed appropriately for the occasion and be prepared to deal with “West Coast” weather. All participants should bring suitable raingear and footwear. All footwear MUST BE closed-toed shoes (no sandals or high heel shoes). Runners or hiking boots are excellent choices. Anyone not wearing appropriate footwear will not be allowed on the tour. The reason for this is that there are a lot of used syringes laying around in the DTES and we want to minimize the chances of someone getting accidentally poked with one. Back alleys are also filled with human excrements (as residents don’t have toilets they can use), so appropriate footwear is crucial. Participants, especially women, are asked to dress respectfully (no tank tops, revealing shorts or other clothing considered “too sexual”.

 

Scared Straight and the Local Community

Our program is making every effort to be a good community partner. Below is a list of what we are doing to help the residents and organizations of the Downtown Eastside. The residents of the Eastside have been extremely gracious about letting the S.S. participants come into their community. Our efforts are a way of giving back to a community who has been extremely generous in terms of wanting to help the kids learn about the dangers of addiction.

· Collecting and distributing used clothing and blankets: Every participant coming on the tour is encouraged to bring a donation of clothing, blankets, or other useful items. The items are either distributed during our excursions or are donated to various programs in the area who can distribute them. Please ensure that all donated items are clean and washed before you bring them.

· Cash Donations: Participants are also encouraged to bring cash donations as an offering. Many individuals and groups have taken the initiative to take up collections and donate the money to the various programs who service the residents of the Eastside. All donations will be distributed according to the donor’s wishes.

· Feeding the homeless: Every time we are walking through the Downtown Eastside, we bring food with us to hand out to the residents. This helps to facilitate good relations with the residents there and we can then invite them to talk to the participants if they so wish. We often distribute used clothing and blankets during these outings as well.

· Honorariums: Any individual or organization who supports the S.S. Tour receives a donation from the program. Individuals who are willing to come and share their stories with the youth are sometimes given an honorarium for their time. Several local organizations allow the youth to visit their program and we also give them a donation for their program.

 

Agenda

Here is a sample agenda.

Day 1:

Noon to 6.00pm: Arrival, check in and dinner.

7.00-7.30pm: Welcoming circle and Orientation

8.00-10.00pm: Evening tour of Downtown Eastside

Day 2:

7.30-8.15: Breakfast

8.30am: Departure for the DTES

9.00-10.30am: meeting with addicts who are in recovery

10.30-12.30: Odd Squad presentation (police officers working in the DTES)

12.30-1.30pm: Lunch

1.30-3.00pm: Daytime tour of Downtown Eastside

3.00-7.00pm: Downtime and dinner.

7.00-8.00pm: Guest speaker (usually someone who is dying of AIDS or Hep C)

Day 3:

8.00-8.45am: Breakfast

9.00-11.00am: Talking circle where the teens get to share their thoughts about their experience, evaluations and wrap-up.

11.00am: Departure for return to home community.

As you can see the agenda is rather full so cooperation from participants (in terms of being on time) is essential.

Please note that the tour can be condensed to accommodate participant’s schedule.If needed the talking circle can be done at the end of the second day. Shorter tours are available. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this option.