Government of Canada Works with British Columbia to Help Prevent Young People From Taking Illicit Drugs

Penticton, British Columbia –(March 21, 2009) – The Government of Canada is supporting projects under the Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund that will strengthen drug prevention among youth in British Columbia. Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway as well as Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla, made the announcement today on behalf of Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health.”The Government of Canada is working with provinces and communities across the country to prevent illicit drug use and addiction among youth,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “This project will provide communities in British Columbia with the tools they need to educate young people about the negative consequences of taking drugs.”

The Youth Health and Wellness Project will help the Ooknakane Friendship Centre develop, implement and promote educational and other prevention activities aimed at curbing drug use among Aboriginal youth.

“It is truly inspiring to see how Aboriginal people in Okanagan-Coquihalla are pulling together to address this issue,” said Minister Day. “I look forward to seeing the benefits of these efforts in the months and years ahead.”

Initiatives such as this one are another step in implementing the Government of Canada’s National Anti-Drug Strategy, announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in October 2007.

The federal Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund 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 issues, especially among vulnerable populations such as youth. The Ooknakane Friendship Centre will receive $128,957 in financial support for this important project.

Please visit the National Anti-Drug Strategy website (www.nationalantidrugstrategy.gc.ca) for more information.

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For more information, please contact

Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
613-957-2983

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613-957-2991
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Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
Josee Bellemare
613-957-0200