Harper Government Supports Drug Prevention Project for Vulnerable Youth in Niagara, Hamilton, and Burlington

Educating and engaging young people in meaningful activities to help prevent illicit drug use in our communities

WELLAND, ON, Aug. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Diane Finley, Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, today announced $511,053 of federal funding under the Government's National Anti-Drug Strategy (NADS), for the "C'est mon choix" project that will help prevent illicit drug use and prescription drug abuse among at-risk youth in Niagara, Hamilton, and Burlington regions.

This announcement is part of the $16.1 million in federal funding announced by Minister Ambrose earlier this year to support 34 drug prevention projects under the Government's Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund (DSCIF). This initiative helps young people make informed decisions about illicit and prescription drug use and ultimately reduce risk-taking behaviours. It also helps strengthen the ability of communities to get involved and prevent illicit drug use before it happens.

The project, "C'est mon choix" intends to establish targeted educational workshops in French on drug prevention, offered to youth in grades 5 to 12, across 16 primary and secondary schools.

Preventing substance abuse among young people is a critical focus of the Government's National Anti-Drug Strategy (NADS). The Strategy is the cornerstone of the Government of Canada's efforts to keep Canadian communities safe from the dangers linked to drug abuse and trafficking.

Quick Facts

• The federal Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund (DSCIF) 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 and prescription drug abuse issues, especially among vulnerable youth.
• The fund is currently focused on supporting health promotion projects that target young people ages 10 to 24, who have a higher risk of developing substance abuse and dependency: youth in life transition stages, youth who are disadvantaged by their living conditions, and youth living in rural/remote communities.
• The Government's National Anti-Drug Strategy (NADS) focuses on preventing substance abuse problems and supporting enhancements to treatment for those with drug dependencies, while at the same time, combating the production and distribution of illicit drugs that threaten the safety of our youth and communities.
• Since the announcement of NADS in the 2007 Federal Budget, the Government has invested approximately $72.4million in multi-year agreements through the DSCIF.
  
  

Quotes

"I am very proud of the work done by the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara to develop and implement interactive drug prevention and health promotion workshops to vulnerable youth. Our youth are our future and the Harper Government are proud to partner with a project that will help prevent illicit drug use and give young people an opportunity to achieve their full potential."
The Honourable Diane Finley
Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Northfolk

"This funding finally provides the much needed resources to the francophone community in order that it can develop the tools and strategies needed to reach out to the youth at a very crucial and vulnerable time in their lives. There are no other agencies who can offer this type of service to the French speaking youth of this area."
Marcel Castonguay
Executive Director, Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara

"Our Government supports drug prevention programs that are focused on ending drug use. The funding announced today will support many communities in improving the quality of prevention services and reducing drug use among youth. It will also provide needed information to those most affected by drug use, including parents, young people, educators, law enforcement authorities and communities."
Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health

Associated Links
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara

News Release - Harper Government Supports Youth Drug Prevention Projects across the Country

National Anti-Drug Strategy

The Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund (DSCIF) - At a Glance

News Release - Harper Government Invests in Drug Prevention Strategy for Youth - Minister Ambrose attends roundtable on treatment and recovery to listen to Canadians

SOURCE: Health Canada