YOUTH ADDICTION AND CRIME KEY ISSUE FOR NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL

Attorney General Doug Currie says many of the issues that were
foremost in his mind as minister of Health continue to be primary
issues for him in his new post.

Speaking to the annual general meeting of P.E.I. Crime Stoppers
Wednesday, Currie noted, for example, that in his former portfolio he
was closely involved with the development of the P.E.I. Youth
Substance Use and Addiction Strategy.

"In developing that strategy we were acutely aware that for
approximately 60 to 70 per cent of youth who come into conflict with
the law, substance abuse is either a direct or indirect factor in
their offending behaviours," Currie said. "By that I mean that these
offenders are either under the influence of alcohol or drugs when
they commit their offence or they commit the offence to gain access
to money for alcohol or drugs."

By working across departments and developing a multitude of
strategies that address the needs of young people, the minister said
the province hopes to effectively deal with the issues of addiction.

In his first official speech as attorney general Currie said that
since April 2008 his office has obtained over $500,000 from Justice
Canada's National Anti-Drug Strategy to work on the issue of youth
addiction and crime.

The department has hired a full-time youth justice addictions manager
and a part-time addiction community youth worker.

"We have also recently hired a training specialist, who is developing
a staff training program that will include practices around
screening, assessment, treatment, case management and relapse prevention."

The training specialist will co-ordinate the delivery of this program
to 400 staff members from the office of the attorney general and
public safety, health and wellness, education, community services and
non-governmental organizations.

"Ultimately we want to see fewer young people in conflict with the
law, fewer instances of young offenders re-offending and fewer young
people moving through the youth justice system and progressing into
the adult correctional system."

Currie said crime prevention and community safety are not issues that
can be addressed in isolation.

"No single agency, organization or government department can achieve
lasting progress in this field without working closely with other
groups and building strong networks of co-operation and mutual support."

The minister said Crime Stoppers is one of those all-important hubs
that brings together a diverse range of individuals and organizations
that share the common goal of building strong communities.

"When it comes to community safety, individuals often feel helpless
and fearful, and can be anxious about speaking out," Currie said.

"Crime Stoppers provides an invaluable means for those who feel
vulnerable in the face of crime and violence to contribute to crime
prevention and the justice system as a whole."