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Dec 8, 2025 9:09 PM - Connect Newsroom - Pervez Sandhu

Solutions to addictions discussed at Welfare of all workshop in Surrey

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Audience listens to a speaker at the Welfare for all Workshop at Khalsa School located near Old Yale road and 120th street in Surrey. (Photo - Connect FM)

A welfare workshop was organized by the Vaapsi Seva Society this weekend at the Khalsa School, located near 120th Street and Old Yale Road in Surrey.

The aim of this workshop was to educate people about addiction and mental health. The event continued from 1 pm to around 5 pm.

Vaapsi Seva Society
Audience listens to the speaker at a welfare forum organized by Vaapsi Seva Society

During this, various speakers shared their views and explained to the nearly 300 people who attended the workshop, based on their knowledge and experiences, the harms of substance use and addictions and its impact on the community.

Vaapsi Seva Society
Audience listens to the speaker at a welfare forum organized by Vaapsi Seva Society

During this, some speakers who have themselves suffered or seen loved-ones suffer from addictions were also present and, sharing their personal experiences, they urged people to learn from their losses and stay away from drugs.

Vaapsi Seva Society
Gurmukh Singh was one of the organizers of the Welfare for all Workshop

Gurmukh Singh, one of the organizers, said that through this initiative, they are trying to provide support and education to the affected people and provide them with tools to get out of this crisis.

Jessie Sunner
Jessie Sunner, B.C.'s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, attended the workshop

B.C.'s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Jessie Sunner, was also present at this workshop. Sunner appreciated the workshop and acknowledged that, “substance abuse is a serious problem and along with the steps the government is taking, such community initiatives are also very important.”

Surrey city councillor, Linda Annis was among the people who attended the workshop. She said, “we need to have many more of these workshops to deal with the addictions problem and I want to thank the organizers to have taken the initiative for this discussion.”

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