2010-21
February 18, 2010
For immediate release
YARMOUTH - Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, announced today the Government of Canada's support for a project that will help prevent rural youth in Nova Scotia from taking illicit drugs. Greg Kerr made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health.
"The Government of Canada is proud to be working with provinces and communities across the country to help prevent illicit drug use among youth," said Minister Aglukkaq. "This project will provide communities in Nova Scotia with the tools they need to educate young people about the negative consequences of using drugs."
The project Young people and drugs: Scenes through the smoke screen will help the Tri-County Women's Centre and its partners develop, implement and promote activities aimed at preventing illicit drug use among rural community youth. The project will focus on educating high school students, their parents and the community through Interactive School Workshops, the Youth Leadership Program, community resources and parent toolkits that deal with the subject of illicit drug use.
"Raising awareness about substance abuse will better equip youth to make informed decisions about their futures," said Mr. Kerr. "I look forward to seeing the benefits of the Young people and drugs: Scenes through the smoke screen project inthe months and years ahead."
Initiatives such as this one are another step in implementing the Government of Canada's National Anti-Drug Strategy, which was announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in October 2007.
"The Women's Centre, and the larger community of service providers in the Tri County area, are certain that this project will have a positive and long lasting impact by empowering our youth and engaging our communities in addressing illicit drug use," said Bernadette MacDonald, Executive Director of the Tri-County Women's Centre.
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 Tri-County's Women's Centre will receive $329,352 in financial support for this important project.
Please visit the National Anti-Drug Strategy website for more information.
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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Josée Bellemare
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
