PROJECT HOPE ENHANCES ADDICTIONS PROGRAM IN SASKATOON

Saskatoon Health Region recently enhanced methadone treatment options with the assistance of the Premier's Project Hope. Funds from Project Hope will enable the community's Methadone Assisted program to provide expanded assistance to roughly 200 clients per year. It will also provide more timely service, and additional outreach into the community.

"Harm reduction programs such as the Methadone Assisted Recovery program help break addictions to heroin and other opiates," Healthy Living Services Minister Graham Addley said. "By increasing support to these and other successful programs around the province, the Premier's Project Hope is helping to make Saskatchewan one of the most progressive of all the provinces in the prevention and treatment of addictions."

"The expansion of services through Project Hope will bring the medical and counselling supports necessary to enhance the services we provide to clients, their families and the communities," Saskatoon Health Region Primary Health vice president Shan Landry said.

The Methadone Assisted Recovery program is a key component of a comprehensive treatment and prevention strategy. It provides both methadone treatment and psychosocial support to people with addictions to injection narcotics. Clients of the program are assisted through a partnership of medical practitioners, addiction counsellors, police services, pharmacists, detoxification and emergency services. Their success can be measured in the reduction of crime-related activity, a decrease in homelessness, increases in employment success and healthier, family centred lifestyles.

Project Hope is a three-year plan to prevent and treat substance abuse. The government has committed $10 million of new annual funding for the project, in addition to the $4.7 million announced in the 2005-06 budget.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083