Pubdate: Sat, 24 May 2014
Source: News, The (New Glasgow, CN NS)
Copyright: 2014 Transcontinental Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ngnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3343
Author: John Brannen

FEDS TO FUND MORE YOUTH DRUG PREVENTION PROJECTS ACROSS CANADA

Two Pictou County Schools Earmarked for Study

NEW GLASGOW - Justice Minister Peter MacKay announced $16.1 million 
in federal funding over three years to help prevent and reduce 
illicit and prescription drug abuse among youth ages 10 to 24 across Canada.

MacKay made the announcement on behalf of the Minister of Health Rona Ambrose.

In Pictou County, $272,170 has been earmarked for Sober Passages: 
Addressing Illicit Drug Use During Life Transition of Rural Nova 
scotia Middle/Junior High Youth.

"It's no secret that there are serious problems and risks associated 
with illicit drug abuse," said MacKay.

"Even right here in Pictou County it's happening."

The announcement took place at the Pictou County Health Authority 
Community Health Centre yesterday morning to a room filled with 
community members, health officials, school board staff and students 
from New Glasgow Junior High.

"Our government is very proud of the innovative work done with our 
partners under the National Anti-Drug Strategy to help prevent 
illicit drug use and provide access to treatment to those with 
substance abuse issues," said MacKay. "Right here in Nova Scotia, 
this will mean local organizations will continue to reach even more 
youth and ensure they are given the tools and an opportunity to grow and heal."

The funding will support 34 projects across the country, including 
four in Nova Scotia, to address a wide range of illicit and 
prescription drug abuse issues, especially among vulnerable youth, 
who have a higher risk of developing substance abuse and dependency.

"With the funding announced today, we will have the ability to 
enhance the services offered to young people in those critical years 
between grades 6 and 9 when many of them begin to experiment with 
drugs and alcohol," said Greg Purvis, director Addiction and Mental 
Health Services at PCHA. "The Sober Passages program will take a 
health promotion/prevention approach that will provide the 
opportunity to work closely with our partner agencies as we make 
information, skills and supports available to young people and their parents."

While the schools have yet to be identified in Pictou County, Lynn 
MacLean, Celtic family of schools supervisor indicated the decision 
would be made in the next month.

"We'll be looking for the schools with students transitioning from 
middle to high schools," MacLean said. "Those details are still being 
worked out."

Many of the projects will equip young people with the knowledge and 
skills to recognize and avoid situations where there may be peer 
pressure to use drugs. Others are designed to provide parents and 
those who work with youth, with drug education and prevention 
strategies that will help families and communities deal with the 
growing problem of substance abuse.

Other projects being funded in Nova Scotia are: Youth Adventure 
Program (South Shore District Health Authority); Strengthening Youth 
and Families (Colchester East Hants Health Authority); and Youth 
Truth Matters - A Youth Led Approach to Illicit Drugs in Rural 
Communities (Tri-County Women's Centre).

The projects are being funded under the Drug Strategy Community 
Initiatives Fund, which is part of the Government's National 
Anti-Drug Strategy, which receives $9.6 million annually for a wide 
range of national, provincial, territorial or local community-based 
initiatives that contribute to reducing drug use among youth through 
health promotion and prevention projects.

Since the announcement of the National Anti-Drug Strategy in 2007, 
the Government has invested approximately $72.4 million in multi-year 
community-based projects through the DSCIF.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom