PROJECT HOPE DIRECTORATE NOW UNDERWAY

The new Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Directorate within Saskatchewan Health is now fully staffed and working toward a comprehensive, strategic, and co-ordinated approach to substance abuse prevention and education for the entire province.

"During my consultations, the need for prevention and education initiatives repeatedly surfaced," Healthy Living Services Minister Graham Addley said. "The new Directorate will ensure that residents of Saskatchewan, especially our young people, have access to information to help them make healthy choices, thereby helping to prevent substance abuse issues before they start."

The four-person Directorate is a key component of The Premier's Project Hope, and its work represents an annual investment of $1.9 million. Staff will work with health regions, schools, and other agencies to enhance prevention and education efforts, including:

•developing and distributing prevention resources that will help families, communities and health workers to learn more about the effects of alcohol and various drugs;

•providing sources of support for parents and families, and practical ways to support healthy decision-making and resiliency in children and youth;

•educating the public through media awareness campaigns;

•supporting communities by developing a Community Toolkit, which would include prevention and education resources;

•developing a web-based inventory of speakers and experts on substance abuse for use by communities and addictions workers;

•supporting the current work of the health regions to decrease substance abuse and enhance mental well-being through the Population Health Promotion Strategy; and

•providing central support and co-ordination of professional development and education.

The main task for the Directorate is the planning of the recently announced national clinical conference on best practices for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, "Moving Forward". It is scheduled from Jan. 30th to Feb. 1st, 2006, in Saskatoon.

The Directorate's work in prevention and education is an essential part of The Premier's Project Hope, the government's three-year plan to prevent and treat substance abuse. Other work includes accessible, flexible and effective treatment options, efforts to co-ordinate services, and supply reduction initiatives.

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For More Information, Contact:

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