NEW ADDICTIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS ANNOUNCED

The provincial government has taken a step forward in fulfilling its mandate commitment to create a provincial addictions agency in Saskatchewan.

Today, Health Minister Don McMorris announced the members of a new addictions advisory committee to guide the creation of the new agency. The committee will also review current alcohol and drug services with the goal of improving access to quality and timely treatment, prevention and education.

"Our government recognizes these people are vulnerable, and we want to strengthen the current system of prevention, education and treatment of addiction," McMorris said. "We can do more to help these people by working together to best serve them."

The advisory committee will provide recommendations on the vision, mission, size, composition and governance model. The committee will look at the scope of programs to be offered by the new agency and funding criteria for addictions programming.

The committee will also provide recommendations on the establishment of a framework for a provincial drug and alcohol strategy that will connect to the National Anti-Drug Strategy and incorporate the unique differences and challenges of program delivery in northern Saskatchewan communities, while building partnerships with First Nations and Métis, and the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program.

Committee members include:

• Dr. Peter Butt, Director of Northern Medical Services; 
• Dr. Kevin Kok, Board Certified (FRCPC) Psychiatrist; 
• Barbara Robinson, Program Head of the Addictions Counselling Program at SIAST, Woodland Campus; 
• Foster Monson, Executive Director of Regina Recovery Homes; 
• Chuck McCann, Manager of Addiction Services for Prince Albert Parkland Health Region; 
• Darlene Arnault, Registered Nurse from Northern Saskatchewan; 
• Greg Drummond, Director of Mental Health and Addictions for the Saskatoon Health Region, 
• Bryan Dykes, Community Advocate; 
• Shauna Lafontaine, Executive Director, Métis Addiction Counsil of Saskatchewan Inc. (MACSI); 
• Bev Whitehawk, Director of Primary Health Care, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN); and
• Kyla Christiansen, Health Education Consultant, Ministry of Education.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083