FORMER MP HEADS NATIONAL DRUG PREVENTION NETWORK

Canada has a serious drug problem, but the approach authorities have
taken to counter it isn't working, according to Randy White, president
of the Drug Prevention Network of Canada.

"It is extremely serious and poorly dealt with," said White, the
former Conservative MP for Langley and Abbotsford.

"Health Canada is not helping out at all, and they are walking away
from education, treatment and enforcement," he said.

"The emphasis today is to accommodate the problem and that inevitably
will lead to more problems, not solutions," he said.

The DPNOC evolved from a 1994 UN World Drug Demand Reduction
Conference for Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), which issued a
mandate that NGOs form regional and hemispheric coalitions.

Through these partnerships, NGOs develops a method for organizations
to exchange ideas, materials, and people to help NGOs become more
effective in their individual drug prevention activities.

The DPNOC was formed last June to act as the Canadian arm of the Drug
Prevention Network of America. It supports abstinence-free drug and
alcohol treatment and recovery programs, and opposes the legalization
of drugs.

"Our network organization is growing and we expect to influence
solutions to our drug problems in a positive way around the world,"
said White, who was named president during the recent federal election
campaign.

The network recently became affiliated with the National Drug
Prevention Alliance of the U.K.

White said that with the U.K. network and affiliations with the Drug
Prevention Network of the Americas, which includes the USA, South
America and Central America, the Canadian branch can keep in constant
touch with organizations and people who subscribe to these principles:

to promote a healthy drug-free lifestyle;

to advocate non-use of illegal drugs and non-abuse of legal drugs,
including alcohol, tobacco and solvents;

to oppose legalization of drugs, and to support the UN conventions and
treaties concerning drugs and psycho tropic substances.

"It is our mission to carry out a leadership role in providing
accurate and scientifically validated information to assist Canadians
in making well informed decisions in the areas of prevention,
treatment and education when considering the use and abuse of
substances," White said.

He added that the Canadian arm is privately funded by people "who are
interested in getting practical solutions to drug problems, rather
than give rhetorical or emotional answers."

In his political life, White actively pursued a National Drug Strategy
that works at street level. White, who announced last year that he
would not seek re-election, was vice-chairman of the parliamentary
committee studying the non-medicinal use of drugs.