Pubdate: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS) Copyright: 2006 The Halifax Herald Limited Contact: http://thechronicleherald.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180 Author: Canadian Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) N.B. GRITS VOW ACTION ON ADDICTION GRAND MANAN, N.B. - The leader of New Brunswick's Liberal party is promising to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with drug addiction in the province. Shawn Graham made the announcement Saturday on Grand Manan Island, where a suspected crack house was torched last month amid growing outrage over local drug trafficking. If the Liberals are elected on Sept. 18, the party would work with health-care providers, community groups and justice officials to find ways to help addicts and prevent addiction, said Graham. "We can no longer continue to sweep the issue of addiction under the rug," Graham said in an interview. "That means there needs to be new partnerships with community stakeholders to look at ways we can beat addictions and at the same time provide the best treatment and prevention programs." He said a Liberal government would improve access to methadone, which is used to treat heroin addicts, in large cities and smaller communities. Graham, whose party held 26 of the legislature's 55 seats before the election call, also promised to work with the federal government to fight organized crime and address the province's drug trade. NDP Leader Allison Brewer said a Liberal government under former premier Frank McKenna gutted many of the province's social programs. Brewer, whose party doesn't have a seat in the legislature, said the only way to curb drug abuse is with a strong focus on prevention. "Of course we need the treatment facilities, but the most important thing is to provide the resources on the ground for people before they get to that stage," said Brewer, who spent the day campaigning in the riding of Tantramar. Brewer said the NDP has long advocated working with local communities to identify and fix the root causes of drug addiction. Conservative Premier Bernard Lord was unavailable for comment. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D