HELP ARRIVES FOR YOUNG ADDICTS

SUMMERSIDE - The government of Canada has made a major investment in
addiction programs for P.E.I.'s youth.

Federal Justice Minister and Attorney General Rob Nicholson and the
Island's Attorney General Gerard Greenan were at the Summerside Youth
Centre, Tuesday, to announce over $300,000 in funding will be provided
over the next three years to improve addiction support programs and
services for youth in conflict with the law.

The federal minister said, "We remain committed to the goals of making
our communities safer, protecting our youth from a life of drugs and
crime, and showing compassion for those who fall victim to illicit
drugs."

Nicholson said this effort does not stop at youth involvement in drugs
but also deals with those supplying drugs. The federal minister said
he has legislation prepared that calls for "mandatory jail terms" for
those trafficking and selling drugs.

The funding will be used to develop and implement the P.E.I. Youth
Substance Use and Addiction Strategy.

Nicholson said this project will support salary costs for two new
positions - a full-time youth justice addictions manager and a
part-time addiction community youth worker.

Their primary duties will be to ensure services, programs, policies
and supports are developed to provide addiction services for youth in
conflict with the law and to develop a protocol for young offenders to
access addictions service in P.E.I.

The Office of the Attorney General will develop referral and
assessment procedures, as well as post-treatment relapse prevention
programs for youth in conflict with the law and who are battling an
illicit drug addiction.

Nicholson said the collaboration with the provinces and support
agencies will "help provide youth with the support they need to make
smart choices and steer clear of illicit drugs and drug-related crime."

Greenan said it is impossible to build safer communities without
addressing the needs of young people with addiction issues.

"This initiative is part of a broader provincial strategy to treat
youth with substance abuse problems," he said. "By treating addiction,
we believe we can reduce reoffending and stop the progress of youth
offenders into the adult justice system."