CHANGE IS POSSIBLE

Change is possible

"Change is possible" is the theme for this year's National Addictions
Awareness Week.

Making the kind of change it takes to recover from substance abuse or
gambling problems is a journey that is filled with many steps. For
those who have succeeded in making a change, the journey continues to
unfold day by day.

National Addictions Awareness Week takes place Nov. 14-20 and seeks to
raise the awareness of Canadians about the harms associated with
substance use and gambling. Although the week aims to spread messages
of prevention, it is also about providing hope to those who are
considering change, and to those celebrating the joy of living
addiction-free.

According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse:

* The total cost of substance abuse in Canada is estimated to be
about $39.8 billion each year, or $1,267 for every Canadian based on a
2002 estimate.

* Tobacco and alcohol accounted for 79.3% or $31.6 billion of the
total cost, while illegal drugs accounted for 20.7 per cent or $8.2
billion of the total cost.

But here's the good news:

* Cannabis use among Canadians 15 years and older has decreased by
nearly 3.5%, from 14.1% in 2004 to 10.6% in 2009.

Alcohol use among Canadians 15 years and older has decreased by nearly
3%, from 79.3% in 2004 to 76.5% in 2009.

If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with alcohol,
tobacco, other drugs or gambling, contact your local Addiction
Services office or call the 24-hour Helpline at 1-866-332-2322.