Message for the Minister of Health for National Addictions Awareness Week

November 16-22, 2009

Every year, National Addictions Awareness Week takes place during the third week of November. As Minister of Health, I am pleased to recognize the importance of this week in creating a better understanding among Canadians of substance abuse as well as among individuals who suffer from addictions.

Over the past two years, the Government of Canada has taken important steps to help our communities fight substance abuse. Under the National Anti-Drug Strategy (NADS), close to $100.5 million has been allocated over five years to help reduce and prevent the use of illicit drugs, to treat those with drug dependencies, and to combat the illicit production and distribution of drugs.

In addition, we announced the Drug Treatment Funding Program for provinces and territories to help strengthen treatment systems and, ultimately, reduce the progression and severity of illicit drug use among youth. More recently, we launched the first component of a prevention-focused mass media campaign to help parents and children understand the dangers of drugs.

We have also invested $10 million to provide treatment services for people living with drug addictions and $2 million for Aboriginal-specific addictions services in Vancouver's downtown eastside.

As part of the NADS, Health Canada is investing $30.5 million over five years to increase access to and improve the quality of addictions services for First Nations and Inuit. This investment will modernize and enhance First Nations and Inuit addictions programming, allowing for more people to be treated successfully.

Our Government is also committed to addressing tobacco use. On October 8, 2009, the Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act received Royal Assent. This Act protects young people from marketing practices that encourage them to smoke. Specifically, it prohibits certain additives and flavours from being used in little cigars, cigarettes, and blunt wraps because they can induce young people to start smoking. The Act also requires that little cigars and blunt wraps be packaged in minimum quantities of 20 and further restricts tobacco advertising in publications that may be viewed by children and youth.

During this special week, I encourage all Canadians to work together to address the challenges of addictions in their communities so they can remain safe places in which to live and grow up.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada