LEGISLATION NOW EXISTS TO WIN WAR ON DRUGS

In Alberta in the year 2005, 25 percent of youths in Grades 7 through
12 reported using illicit drugs, and that is excluding marijuana.

Illegal drug use is a problem that has run rampant in many Canadian
communities over the years.

Yellowhead is no different.

Many of us have seen the negative effects of illegal drug use on our
young people. I have raised this issue multiple times in Ottawa,
bringing forward legislation to increase drug related penalties.

The Conservative government campaigned to address this issue and we
are following through on our commitments.

In October 2007, the Prime Minister announced the Anti-Drug Strategy.
The strategy provides a focused approach involving three action plans:
prevention, treatment and enforcement, to stem the flow of illegal
drugs in our communities.

This is the first federal campaign to communicate the dangers of
illicit drugs in more than 20 years. It is time that the federal
government tackle this issue.

The government recognizes that illicit drugs undermine safe
communities, fuel organized crime and foster petty crime. Through this
initiative, we are providing parents with the tools and resources they
need to help them begin open, informed discussions with their children
about drug use. We want our children to be able to make healthy life
choices through informed education.

On March 14, 2008, Minister of Public Safety, Stockwell Day, announced
$8.9 million in funding over two years under the new National
Anti-Drug Strategy. This investment is a major step towards a
significant crackdown on illegal drugs in our communities.

The funds will help the RCMP to combat the production and distribution
of illegal drugs as well as work to dismantle criminal
organizations.

Under the strategy, government has invested $3.3 million to the
Canadian Border Security Agency to keep illegal drugs from crossing
Canada's borders; worked to legislate mandatory jail time for those
who produce and sell drugs; invested $7 million for communities to
combat drug use among youth; and provided $10 million to implement a
national prevention campaign aimed at youth and parents.

This new infusion of funds reaffirms the government's commitment to
the strategy. The RCMP will have increased resources to target
organized crime such as grow-ops and meth labs in order to make our
communities safer. I am proud to be part of the government that is
bringing this much needed help to the communities of Yellowhead.

Our government is serious about tackling crime and improving the
safety of Canadian communities. Taking illegal drugs off the streets
will go a long way to achieving this goal.

The National Anti-Drug Strategy is a comprehensive approach that will
achieve the ultimate goal: fewer drugs in the hands of our youth.