Government of Canada Works with B.C. Communities to Help Prevent Young People from Taking Illicit Drugs

News Release
2010-185
October 29, 2010
For immediate release

VICTORIA - The Honourable Gary Lunn, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands and Minister of State (Sport), today announced Government of Canada funding support under the Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund of the National Anti-Drug Strategy to the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research B.C. Minister Lunn 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 B.C. with the tools they need to educate young people about the negative consequences of taking drugs."

This funding, in the amount of $375,025, will support the project entitled: Addressing Substance Impaired Driving Among Youth and Young Adult Drivers in B.C. Using a Comprehensive Community Health Approach. The project will engage young drivers and the general public in raising awareness and preventing substance impaired driving. This project is developing and disseminating tools and resources for young drivers and partner networks across the province through a social marketing campaign.

"Raising awareness about substance abuse will help better equip youth to make informed decisions about their futures," said Minister Lunn. "I look forward to seeing the benefits of this project inthe months and years ahead."

Initiatives such as these 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.

"A recent study on substance use among night-time drivers in Vancouver, Saanich and Abbotsford found that 15.5% of drivers tested positive for drugs, alcohol or both," said Dan Reist, Assistant Director (Knowledge Exchange), Centre for Addictions Research of B.C. at The University of Victoria. "A multifaceted approach is needed that seeks to raise the awareness of young drivers about the issues, while also cultivating social support for these young drivers to assist them in changing their behaviour."

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

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