Pubdate: Sat, 23 May 2009
Source: Chronicle-Journal, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009 The Chronicle-Journal
Contact: http://www2.chroniclejournal.com/contact/editorial/letters
Website: http://www.chroniclejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3155
Note: from the Northwest Bureau

PROBLEM DRUG USE ON NEW POLICY RADAR

The City of Thunder Bay will soon have a municipal drug
policy.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit announced Friday  that it will
soon begin work on developing a municipal  drug strategy for the city
using funding from Health  Canada's Drug Strategy and Controlled
Substances  Program.

"This is a very important step in reducing the harms  associated with
problematic substance use in our city,"  Rebecca Johnson, chairwoman
of the Thunder Bay Drug  Strategy Steering Committee, stated in a
press release.

"This new funding will enable us to create an  integrated plan that is
specific to Thunder Bay."

A steering committee is currently being formed with  representation
from drug treatment organizations, law  enforcement, city council and
prevention agencies such  as educational institutions, public health
and outreach  programs.

The committee also plans to consult with members of the  community so
that the drug strategy addresses both  public health and public order
interests.

Consultation sessions are planned for the coming weeks.

"A community that works together has great potential to  increase the
health of all its citizens," Johnson said,  adding that "a
co-ordinated drug strategy for the City  of Thunder Bay will enable
our community to work  together in a more effective way to address the
causes  and effects of substance misuse." 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D