Government of Canada Works with Ontario Communities to Help Prevent Young People from Taking Illicit Drugs

News Release
2009-154
September 11, 2009
For immediate release

KENORA - Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, announced today the Government of Canada's support for a project that will help prevent Ontario youth from taking illicit drugs. Greg Rickford made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health.

"The Government of Canada is proud to be working with provinces and communities across the country to help prevent illicit drug use among youth," said Minister Aglukkaq. "This project will provide communities in Ontario with the tools they need to educate young people about the negative consequences of taking drugs."

The Youth Action on Drugs project will help the Northwestern Health Unit and its partners develop, implement and promote activities aimed at preventing drug use among community youth. The project will focus on training youth leaders, youth committee members, local community groups and parents in order for them to educate youth about the harmful effects of illicit drug use.

"Raising awareness about substance abuse will help better equip youth to make informed decisions about their futures and their health" said Mr. Rickford. "I look forward to seeing the benefits of the Youth Action on Drugs projectinthe months and years ahead."

Initiatives such as this one are another step in implementing the Government of Canada's National Anti-Drug Strategy, which was announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in October 2007.

"We are pleased to receive this funding on behalf of our region and are looking forward to working with the youth in our communities on illicit drug use prevention. Our youth have much to contribute to the health of our communities and are pivotal to creating a movement around this issue," said Dr. James Arthurs, Medical Officer of Health (A), Northwestern Health Unit.

The federal Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund provides financial support for health promotion and prevention projects at the national, provincial and local levels. It addresses a wide range of illicit drug use issues, especially among vulnerable populations such as youth. The Northwestern Health Unit will receive $301,763 in financial support for this important project.

Please visit the  National Anti-Drug Strategy website for more information.

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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Josée Bellemare
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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