News Release

Date: January 17, 2008

For immediate release

Minister Day Announces Funding to Reduce Cross-border Flow of Illegal Drugs

NIAGARA FALLS, January 17, 2008 - The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, took another step to crackdown on illegal drugs, by announcing funding to keep illegal drugs from crossing Canada's borders.

"Illegal drugs destroy lives, rob young people of their futures, tear families apart, make our streets and communities less safe, and fuel organized crime and street-level gangs," said Minister Day. "This is why our Government committed to a National Anti-Drug Strategy, and why today I am announcing this plan to intercept the cross-border flow of illegal drugs."

As part of Canada 's new National Anti-Drug Strategy, announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in October 2007, Minister Day announced that the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) will receive $3.3 million over two years to improve :

• Detection measures of illegal drugs as well as precursor chemicals, which are used in illegal drugs. Nearly every illicit drug requires chemicals in order to be refined to a final, consumable form. Since precursor chemicals also have a wide legitimate use in the production of consumer goods (such as pharmaceuticals, fragrances, flavouring agents, petroleum products, fertilizers and paints), stronger detection measures will be put into place;
• CBSA Laboratory testing of precursor chemicals entering Canada . Scientists will be able to better determine what the precursor chemicals entering Canada will be used for, which will prevent these chemicals from reaching illegal drug manufacturers; and
• Investigation and border intelligence capabilities.

"The National Anti-Drug Strategy is meant to be tough on crime, but compassionate for victims," said the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. " This is why our Government is taking a leadership role on this important issue and working with key partners, such as the provinces, territories, communities, stakeholders, community groups and law enforcement agencies to implement a truly national anti-drug strategy to prevent, treat and combat the harmful affects of illicit drugs."

The new National Anti-Drug Strategy focuses on preventing illegal drug use in young people, treating people who have drug addictions and fighting illegal drug crime.

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For media information:

Mélisa Leclerc, Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863

This document is also available at: http://www.ps-sp.gc.ca.