OTTAWA WILL FIGHT THE SCOURGE OF DRUG ABUSE

I am continually reminded by parents and teachers in Kootenay
Columbia of the importance of protecting our children from the use of
illegal drugs.

Drugs are dangerous and destructive, this is why this Government is
committed to ensuring that those people who are addicted to illicit
drugs get the help they need.

Our Government's strategy to fight illicit drug use in Canada
provides a balanced approach that is both tough on crime and
compassionate to those addicted to illicit drugs. We are committed to
working with our provincial and territorial partners to improve
access to quality services and effective approaches to treating
individuals who pose a risk to themselves, their families and their
communities.

Earlier this week, our government announced the Drug Treatment Fund.
This fund will provide $111 million over five years to boost drug
treatments that are available to young people who are at-risk. The
Drug Treatment Funding Program is a new federal contributions program
under the National Anti-Drug Strategy that is made up of new funding
($45 milliom over five years) and refocused Health Canada funding
($66 million over five years).

Responsibility for the planning and delivery of treatment services
primarily rests with provincial and territorial governments. The
government of Canada will work with provinces and territories on the
implementation of this new program. All provinces and territories
will have access to funding under the program. Financial support will
be provided on the basis of proposal submissions to Health Canada.
All proposals will undergo a review and pre-determined criteria such
as population size, and extent of need will be used to make
recommendations regarding funding allocations.

This announcement builds on other initiatives under our National
Anti-Drug Strategy that will lead to healthier and safer communities,
such as our national prevention campaign aimed at youth and their parents.

The fund will strengthen treatments through investments in early
intervention initiatives to reduce illicit drug use among youth. It
will also provide an important boost to the drug treatment options
that are available to young people who are at-risk.

Our government's strategy to fight illicit drug use in Canada
provides a balanced approach that is both tough on crime and
compassionate to those addicted to illicit drugs. We are committed to
working with our provincial and territorial partners to improve
access to quality services and effective approaches to treating
individuals who pose a risk to themselves, their families and their
communities.