Pubdate: Sat, 24 Sep 2005
Source: Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN)
Copyright: 2005 Prince Albert Daily Herald
Contact:  http://www.paherald.sk.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1918

METH FUNDS WELCOME

An announcement by the federal government on Friday is good news for 
those hoping to see the use of crystal meth become a thing of the 
past in the Prince Albert region.

More than 300 aboriginal addictions counsellors and mental health 
workers will get special training aimed at preventing crystal meth 
abuse in First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada, Health 
Minister Ujjal Dosanjh announced Friday.

Dosanjh said $851,000 in federal funding will enable the Saskatchewan 
Indian Institute of Technologies to deliver the 30-hour certification program.

Even better, Dosanjh also said his department has committed more than 
$6.1 million over the next three years to other front-line projects 
aimed at curbing substance abuse in Western Canada.

We hope that some of those funds can be secured to take Prince 
Albert's Addictions/Detoxifications Strategy from a work on paper to 
reality. The comprehensive, well-researched nature of the plan to 
address these issues deserves the attention and financial support of 
all levels of government.

This is also an appropriate time to remind Prince Albert residents 
that the second community rally against crystal meth will take place 
on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Exhibition Centre. Doors open at 5 p.m. to 
allow access to information displays and experts who will be on hand.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman