Pubdate: Mon, 15 Oct 2007
Source: Smoky River Express (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 Smoky River Express.
Contact:  http://www.smokyriverexpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2446
Author: Chris Warkentin

MP WARKENTIN SUPPORTS NEW ANTI-DRUG STRATEGY

Peace River Riding MP

OTTAWA -- Peace River Member of Parliament Chris  Warkentin believes
the new National Anti-Drug Strategy  unveiled Oct. 4 will will foster
healthy communities in  the Peace Country. "Our government has made
fighting  crime and building safer communities one of our top
priorities," says Warkentin. "This measure and others  such as my
Private Member's Bill, C- 428, to combat  Crystal Meth production,
ensures that our communities  and our families will be safer and
increasingly  protected from illicit drug use and related crimes."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, joined by Health  Minister Tony
Clement, and Public Safety Minister  Stockwell Day unveil Canada's new
National Anti-Drug  Strategy. The strategy will provide $63.8 million
over  two years to prevent illegal drug use in young people,  treat
people who have drug addictions and fight illegal  drug crime. "Our
two-track approach will be tough on  drug crime and compassionate for
victims," says Prime  Minister Harper. "We'! re simply not going to
throw in  the towel when the health and safety of our communities  is
at risk." "Tackling the problem of drug use is going  to take all of
us. Breaking Canada's drug habit will  require a huge effort," says
Prime Minister Harper. The  new strategy, which builds on and
refocuses current  programs, includes a focused public awareness
campaign  aimed at educating youth on the negative effects of  illicit
drug use. Studies have shown that a growing  number of Canadian youth
are becoming involved with  drugs at younger and younger ages.
Combatting their  exposure to highly addictive drugs is increasingly a
  challenge for many communities. The National Anti-Drug  Strategy is a
collaborative effort involving the  Department of Justice, Public
Safety Canada and Health  Canada and includes three action plans:
preventing  illicit drug use; treating those with illicit drug
dependencies; and combatting the production and  distribution of
illicit drugs. Reduceds! peed limit  Motorists who frequent the
highway are reminded to! pay  close attention to reduced speed limit
construction  signs and slow down when approaching Watino from either
side of the roadway. "We're requesting the cooperation  of drivers to
help ensure the safety of construction  workers and the traveling
public," Saunders says. The  existing bridge -- completed in 1950 at a
cost of  $841,000 -- will be disassembled and removed from the  site
by Sept. 15 of 2010.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek