ABSTRACT
Most people in Alberta have access to a telephone and, apart from the low rental rate, local calls are free. E ZOOT is a multiline electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS) aimed at teenagers and young adults. E ZOOT is a member of five BBS message networks: SpiderNet, IMEXNet, DriftNet, FidoNet and WorldNet. Health related queries raised by users are either answered by moderators direct or are networked to specific helping agencies, with information routed back through E ZOOT. Moderator volunteers from alberta alcohol & drug abuse commission staff oversee discussions and keep them on track. E ZOOT is offered by community education services, Edmonton, a prevention education unit of the AADAC. Service quality and relevance are demonstrated by increase in use and demand, and by both 'in-house' and external service evaluation. Costs are very low. The service began modestly; planned growth is also modest, in line with the quality of service staff know they can deliver within budget limitations.
