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Dr. Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa and Parliamentary Secretary
to the Minister of Health, announced today the Government of Canada’s
support for a project that will help discourage young people from taking illicit
drugs. Dr. Carrie made this announcement on behalf of Leona Aglukkaq, Minister
of Health.
"The Government of Canada is working with provinces and communities
across the country to help prevent the use of drugs among youth,"
said Minister Aglukkaq. "This project will provide public health
professionals in Ontario with the tools they need to educate young people
about the negative consequences of taking drugs."
Through the Youth Engagement Project, health professionals in Toronto will
be trained to help young people living in high risk areas of the city avoid
illicit drugs. This will be accomplished by teaching students in grades 6, 7
and 8 coping and resiliency skills and encouraging other healthy behaviours,
such as increased participation in school and community activities. The project
will be managed by the Ontario Public Health Association and its partners: the
Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition, the Injury Prevention Public Health Managers'
Alliance, and the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association.
"Raising awareness about substance abuse will better equip youth
to make informed decisions about their futures," said Dr. Colin
Carrie. "I look forward to seeing the benefits of The Youth Engagement
Project in the months and years ahead."
Initiatives such as this one are another step in implementing the Government
of Canada's National Anti-Drug Strategy, announced by Prime Minister Stephen
Harper in October 2007.
"The Ontario Public Health Association welcomes the opportunity
to actively support the growing movement towards involving youth in building
their communities," said Connie Uetrecht, Executive Director of
the Ontario Public Health Association. "This project provides solid
strategy that will support healthy development, foster resiliency and strengthen
our communities."
The Ontario Public Health Association will receive $628,149 in financial support
for this important project from the federal Drug Strategy Community Initiatives
Fund, which provides financial support for health promotion and prevention projects
at the national, provincial and local levels. It addresses a wide range of illicit
drug use issues, especially among vulnerable populations such as youth.
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Ltd.. Material in this news item was released by the United States based source
listed below on 25 June 2009
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