Pubdate: Wed, 22 Nov 2000
Source: Grand Forks Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: Sterling Newspapers 2000
Contact:  Box 700, 7330 2nd St., Grand Forks, B.C. V0H 1H0
Fax: +1-250-442-3336
Website: http://www.sterlingnews.com/Forks

NEW DRUG PROGRAMS

VICTORIA - Three new programs designed to help communities across the
province fight substance misuse were announced Nov. 17 by Edward John,
minister for children and families.

In conjunction with Drug Awareness Week 2000, John announced grants
totalling $110,000 to help communities identify and meet local
prevention and health-promotion needs.

"Prevention is the best way to tackle substance abuse," said John.
"Through grants like these, the province will continue to support
communities as they set up and improve their own awareness programs."

This year also marks the first online edition of the Directory of
Addiction Services in British Columbia.  The directory is used by
professionals who work in the fields of substance misuse and problem
gambling.  The online edition will complement a hard-copy version
produced through a partnership between th B.C. government and the
Kaiser Youth Foundation.  The online directory can be reached through
the Ministry for Children and Families' Web site at
http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca or the Vancouver Public Library's Web site at
http://www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca

"I am pleased that our partnership with the Ministry for Children and
Families has resulted in this important directory being offered
online," said Edgar J. Kaiser, chairman of the Kaiser Youth
Foundation.  "We have a good working relationship that benefits those
in need of services in our province, and we are happy to be able to
serve in this way."

A third program announced during Drug Awareness Week is a series of
learning workshops for the province's alcohol and drug prevention
workers. These workshops will take place in March 2001 in the Lower
Mainland.

"Like other professionals, prevention workers need to stay on top of
the latest development in their field," said John.  "These workshops
will help them do that, which will make them more effective in
preventing substance abuse in our communities."

Drug Awareness Week gives individuals and communities a chance to work
together to raise awareness about preventing alcohol and other drug
misuse. 
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