Pubdate: Thu, 14 Aug 2014
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html
Website: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Glen McGregor
Page: A1

HEALTH CANADA ASKS DOCTORS TO BACK ANTI-MARIJUANA ADS

Groups Agree to Check Accuracy but Say They'll Avoid Political Side of Debate

As the Conservatives repeatedly attack Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau 
over his support for the legalization of marijuana, the federal 
government has asked three groups representing Canadian doctors to 
endorse a taxpayer-funded advertising campaign warning about the 
drug's health risks for young people.

Health Canada has approached the Canadian Medical Association, the 
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of 
Family Physicians of Canada asking them to sign on to the broadcast 
advertising campaign, scheduled to launch sometime in the fall.

The organizations would not be required to fund the ad campaign, 
estimated to cost $5 million, but their logos and endorsements would 
appear in them, according to a source familiar with the proposal. The 
campaign comes as the Conservative Party runs its own attack ads 
alleging Trudeau's approach to legalization would make it easier for 
children to obtain pot.

On Tuesday, the party premiered an online video highlighting Trudeau 
statements on legalization, with the closing line "Help keep 
marijuana away from our kids."

The Tories have also repeatedly cited Trudeau's marijuana position in 
email campaigns aimed at shaking more money out of supporters, even 
though recent polls show Canadians warming to the idea of 
liberalizing marijuana laws.

In a pamphlet sent to constituents earlier this year, Veterans 
Affairs Minister Julian Fantino alleged that Trudeau wants to "make 
buying marijuana a normal, everyday activity for young Canadians" and 
even charged that the Liberal leader wants to allow the sale of pot 
in corner stores.

In fact, Trudeau has suggested the government regulate and tax the 
sale of marijuana, similar to provincially regulated beer and liquor 
sales, and says this will help keep the drug away from children.

The ads from Health Canada, aimed at teens and parents, would not 
mention Trudeau or the Liberals but could present a more persuasive 
case against his approach to marijuana, particularly with stamps of 
approval from three of the country's leading physician organizations.

The endorsements from these organizations would also allow the Tories 
to warn that Canadian doctors oppose Trudeau's approach to marijuana 
reform. Together, the organizations have nearly 150,000 members.

But the request from Health Canada has made some affiliated with the 
organizations nervous about taking a public stance on what is 
becoming an increasingly partisan political issue, even if many 
physicians are concerned about pot's long-term effects on physical 
and mental health.

One source familiar with the discussions with Health Canada said 
there were concerns that getting involved could undermine an 
organization's perceived neutrality and credibility, potentially 
affecting its ability to advocate on health policy with governments 
in the future.

The ad campaign could also expose the Conservatives to allegations 
they are using government money and Health Canada's brand to 
undermine a political opponent, in the guise of public health awareness.

But the College of Family Physicians of Canada says it is involved 
only to ensure the ads reflect a family-physician perspective on the 
health issues surrounding teenagers and recreational marijuana use.

The group confirmed that it has signed an agreement with Health 
Canada to have its addiction medicine committee review television ads 
and other materials to ensure they are accurate and reflect concerns 
about how the drug can affect adolescents, said Eric Mang, its 
director of health policy and government relations.

The group is not being paid and Mang said his organization does not 
see the ad campaign as political.

"Family physicians are comfortable about talking about the health 
risks of marijuana for teens," Mang said.

He noted that Trudeau is not advocating making pot available to young people.

"You wouldn't find a family physician advocating marijuana use for 
teenagers any more than you'd find a family doctor telling a patient 
to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day or drink a bottle of vodka."

The Royal College also confirmed its participation in an educational 
campaign, saying its involvement will be "to confirm the health 
accuracy and appropriateness of key messages and any supporting 
materials that may be developed for Canadian physicians," according 
to spokesman Tom McMillan.

McMillan said the Royal College would not support or endorse any 
political messaging in the ads and, under its contract with Health 
Canada, can "recuse ourselves from participation in this campaign 
should this occur."

The Canadian Medical Association said it is approached by third 
parties about involvement in various campaigns but does not make its 
discussions public until completed.

Health Minister Rona Ambrose's office did not comment on any planned 
advertising campaigns but noted that in April she had met with 
physicians and addiction experts to discuss drug use among young 
people. Last December, she announced $11.5 million in funding over 
five years for a drug-prevention strategy for youth.

Most of the doctors' advocacy work on the drug has related to medical 
marijuana and what the CMA says is "insufficient scientific evidence 
available to support the use of marijuana for clinical purposes." The 
CFPC is also planning to release a document on medical marijuana 
prescribing for family doctors that will recommend against giving the 
drug to anyone under 25 years of age.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom