Harper Government Working With Ontario First Nations to Address Prescription Drug Abuse

August 3, 2012
For immediate release

Factsheet: Harper Government Supports Programming to Address First Nations Prescription Drug Abuse in Ontario

Sioux Lookout - Greg Rickford, MP for Kenora and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, highlighted a Harper Government investment to address prescription drug abuse in First Nations communities in Ontario. This investment will focus on service provision and continuum of care; integration of services and enhanced collaboration among service providers; capacity building, training and education; and will help rebuild strong and healthy communities.

"At the historic First Nations-Crown Gathering, I spoke with several Chiefs about the issue of prescription drug abuse particular to communities in the Kenora Riding," said MP Rickford. "I am pleased that our Government is taking concrete action to help First Nations deal with this issue across Ontario."

Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq praised MP Rickford's work on this file following the Crown-First Nations Gathering in February 2012.

"Greg Rickford has a deep and personal understanding of the challenges of delivering health care services in remote communities, having worked as a nurse in Pikangikum. He continues to work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for First Nations people," said Minister Aglukkaq.

This funding support from the Harper Government is the result of strong collaborative work undertaken by the Trilateral First Nations Health Senior Official Committee, which has representation from the Chiefs of Ontario and various federal and provincial departments. At its inaugural meeting the working group unanimously agreed that tackling prescription drug abuse was the top priority for moving forward. An action plan was developed to respond to community needs and adopts an evidence based approach, which reflects the approach envisioned in the Chiefs of Ontario document, "Take A Stand - Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy." This report encourages a continuum of care approach to addictions treatment.

-30-

---

Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709