The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

28 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 26, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com F.A.S.T. extends a helping hand to youths at risk in Oakville T he teenage years can be both exciting and challenging for young people. Increasingly, the pressures at school and at home can lead to drug abuse and dependency. While it is hard to believe that children are at risk in our community, studies confirm that nearly eight per cent of youth between the ages of 15 to 24 reported being affected by an alcohol or illicit drug dependency. Jim and Susan Harkins of Family Adolescent Straight Talk (F.A.S.T.) are an example of the everyday heroes working in Oakville to improve the lives of youth in our community. With the help of their staff, they provide an effective and immediate support system for teens and their families dealing with the effects for drug abuse. Sam is just one of the many teens touched by these heroes. At 14, Sam was struggling to find a sense of self and began to experiment with drugs. Low self-esteem and mounting peer pressure caused her addiction to quickly spiral out of control. She began using harder drugs. Her physical and mental health deteriorated leading to self mutilation, but it was an overdose that landed her in the hospital and brought her to a turning point in her life. While in hospital Sam was referred to F.A.S.T. and began her journey to self-recovery. Offering programs in crisis intervention, adolescent counselling and relapse prevention, F.A.S.T. established for Sam a weekly program to help her in her recovery. The counsellors at F.A.S.T. have become heroes in Sam's eyes. "I don't think the amazing people at F.A.S.T. can ever truly understand the impact of all the wonderful things they've done for me," says Sam. "They showed me how to get my life back, how to love myself, and that hard times don't have to last forever." United Way of Oakville (UWO) funds programs and services accessed by thousands of people through 31 health and social service agencies focusing on four key service areas: strengthening families, supporting independence and well-being in seniors, promoting self-sufficiency, and supporting those in crisis. In addition to being a major fund provider, UWO offers professional development workshops to staff and volunteers in the nonprofit sector. To learn more about UWO, visit www.uwoakville.org. -- Submitted by the United Way of Oakville. 2 50% OFF + Saturday & Sunday! DAYS ONLY! MADE WITH SPACE AGE MEMORY FOAM & PRESSURE RELIEVING LATEX 999 Serta Perfect Day Ultra Premium Queensize Sleep Set 99 While Quantities Last! Reg. $1999.97 EXUBERQPK PRICE G See in-store for complete details . Shop our entire mattress selection @ thebrickmattressstore.com Now with 23 locations and growing! Rd We will beat any competitor's co mparable offer on a comp arable product by 10 %. UARANTEE Do Se rv ice rv al Dr Oakville Town Centre 1 403 Oakville 310 N. Service Rd. W., QEW & Dorvall (905) 337-9993 * Minimum purchase $1499.00 TO PAY* 2012 *Minimum purchase $1499. Any Brick delivery charges, applicable taxes and administration fee ($99.95) are payable at time of purchase. Just make 50 equal monthly payments, Interest may accrue for the final 25 days prior to the promotion's payment due date but will be waived if the payment of the balance is made in full by the due date. Free Delivery with purchase on Brick Card Platinum. Certain restrictions and limitations may apply. +This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or free gift purchase, sale, or other promotion, unless otherwise specified. See in-store for complete details. Offer expires October 28th, 2007. No TAKE UNTIL r th W Dr Lindsay