SASKATCHEWAN’S BATTLE AGAINST ADDICTIONS IS STRENGTHENED

Healthy Living Services Minister Graham Addley and University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Acting Provost and Vice-President Academic Dr. Ernie Barber today welcomed Dr. Colleen Dell, the university's new Research and Addictions Chair.

Dr Dell's appointment is part of Premier Lorne Calvert's Project Hope, the three year program to prevent and treat substance abuse in Saskatchewan. The provincial government has committed $1.6 million in funding for the new research chair at the university.

Dr. Dell has a mandate to increase Saskatchewan's substance abuse research capacity, strengthen the training of addiction workers, and increase the effective use of research resources in substance abuse prevention and treatment.

To support Dr. Dell's work, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U of S that will provide a bridge between academic excellence and the field of addiction research.

The MOA creates a partnership between the U of S and CCSA and provides a practical means of bringing policy together with research, and creates a participatory forum to foster addictions research.

"Dr. Dell's work is an important addition to the many Project Hope initiatives the provincial government has undertaken to address addiction issues in Saskatchewan," Addley said. "We are very happy to have Dr. Dell join us and I am pleased that her work has already resulted in the signing of today's Memorandum of Agreement."

"The University of Saskatchewan is very pleased to partner with Saskatchewan Health and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse on this initiative," Barber said. "The sharing of data, information, networks and resources as we explore solutions to substance abuse and addiction through research will change lives."

"It is clear that CCSA and the U of S can look forward to a productive partnership over the next three years and perhaps beyond," CCSA chief executive officer Michel Perron said. "CCSA deeply appreciates this knowledge exchange opportunity with the U of S. This is a key part of our overall vision of a healthier future for all Canadians."

In the two years since Project Hope was announced, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested $18.5 million on initiatives intended to help people deal with addictions, boosting the total budget for alcohol and drug services to a record $44 million annually.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Patty Martin
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-966-6919

Brooke Bryce
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Ontario
Phone: 613-235-4048