National Anti-Drug Strategy
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News Release
Date: August 12, 2008
For immediate release
Government of Canada Invests in Addiction Support Programs for Youth in Prince Edward Island
SUMMERSIDE, August 12, 2008 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Gerard Greenan, Attorney General of Prince Edward Island, today announced over $300,000 in funding over 3 years to improve addiction support programs and services for youth in conflict with the law.
“This Government is simply not going to throw in the towel
when the health and safety of our communities – and the lives
of our young people – are at risk,”
said Minister
Nicholson. “We remain committed to the goals of making our
communities safer, protecting our youth from a life of drugs and
crime, and showing compassion for those who fall victim to illicit
drugs.”
The Government of Canada will provide funding to the Community and Correctional Services division of the Office of the Attorney General. The division will participate in the development and implementation of the Prince Edward Island Youth Substance Use and Addiction Strategy.
Through active participation on the provincial strategy, the Office of the Attorney General will gain in-house expertise and develop referral and assessment procedures, as well as post-treatment relapse prevention programs, for youth in conflict with the law who are battling an addiction to illicit drugs.
“I am proud to be part of a government that is working to
reduce the damaging effects of illicit drugs on our youth and on
our communities,”
said Minister Nicholson. “Our
collaboration with the provinces, territories and support agencies
help provide youth the support they need to make smart choices and
steer clear of illicit drugs and drug-related crime.”
“We cannot build safer communities without addressing the
needs of young people with addiction issues,”
said Attorney
General Greenan. “This initiative is part of a broader provincial
strategy to treat youth with substance abuse problems. By treating
addiction, we believe we can reduce reoffending and stop the progress
of youth offenders into the adult justice system. We appreciate the
federal government’s continued support as we work together
to reduce youth addiction and crime.”
The funding will be provided through the Department of Justice in support of the National Anti-Drug Strategy. The National Anti-Drug Strategy is a collaborative effort involving Health
Canada, Public Safety Canada and the Department of Justice and includes three action plans: preventing illicit drug use; treating those with illicit drug dependencies; and combating the production and distribution of illicit drugs.
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