What is the Watari Youth Day Treatment Program?

The Watari Youth Day Treatment Program is a 7 week voluntary alcohol and drug day treatment program for youth aged 13-24 in the Vancouver area. 

The goal of the program is to facilitate positive change for at risk children, youth and families through the development and delivery of innovative services. 

The Day Program runs from Tuesday to Friday from 12:30-4pm in a facilitated group counselling format. There is also an optional group on Monday's for youth who would like to connect with peers in a safe healthy enviroment.

Participants can explore and develop skills in the following areas, within the context of substance abuse:

  • identity and self-awareness
  • relationships
  • communication and social skills
  • decision making
  • exploring and managing emotions
  • recreation and community support
  • creative expression
  • ongoing care


Our philosophy:

The Watari Youth Day Treatment Program staff are committed to providing a safe and respectful community for youth.  

Our team challenges social injustice and has created guidelines that support an environment free from racism, sexism, homophobia and classism.

Who can refer?

  • self, parents and friends
  • drug and alcohol counselors
  • outreach and social workers
  • probation officers, etc.

We offer:

  • a day treatment program for youth
  • group counselling
  • 1-1 counselling for youth who are in the program
  • Assessment and referrals
  • Transitional outreach support
  • Community development
  • Advocacy
  • Public awareness and education
  • Alcohol and drug presentations
  • Acupuncture

Who can participate?  Youth who

  • have completed an intake and orientation
  • have recognized that drugs / alcohol have had negative effects in their lives
  • have a goal to reduce or abstain from drugs / alcohol
  • voluntarily wish to attend
  • agree to follow the program guidelines
  • are willing and able to participate in group counselling and other aspects of the program
  • are between the ages of 13 and 24

More Info

the Program Guidelines

Intake Procedure

Download our Referral Package

Wondering about those drugs?  Check our Drug and Alcohol Fact Sheets

Have a question for us? 

You can email us at dayprogram@watari.org,

call us at 604-438-3755,

fax us at 604-438-3745,

or send us a letter at
251a East 11th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5T 2C4

last updated on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 5:17 PM
by Marcus at marcus@motorama.net