This week marks National Addictions Awareness Week and I rise today to express our government�s commitment to increasing addictions awareness.

In conjunction with National Addictions Week, I was pleased today as the chair of the Council of the Federation to launch a National Awareness Campaign on crystal meth and other addictive drugs. This campaign includes local and national newspaper ads, online banner ads and web sites which provide important information to teens and their parents, including warning signs and physical effects of crystal meth and other addictive drugs.

The Council of the Federation first discussed this issue at our 2005 summer meeting at the request of Premier Calvert of Saskatchewan. During the 2006 summer meeting held here in St. John�s, the premiers reaffirmed our commitment to raising awareness of the serious harmful affects of addictive drugs in Canada.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to join all of Canada�s provinces and territories in participating in this campaign. Our government has been an advocate of preventing drug use and other addictive behaviour and we have made significant investments to help those who suffer from drug, alcohol and gambling addictions.

Our government created an Oxycontin Task Force; we funded the establishment of a badly needed new methadone clinic; and we implemented a VLT Reduction Strategy to immediately reduce the number of VLTs in the province.

In Budget 2006, we invested one million dollars in new funding for primary prevention and treatment of addictions, including nine additional counselors. Earlier this month, I joined with several others in turning sod on the new addictions treatment centre in Corner Brook, another investment by our government of over one million dollars. As well, our provincial Get Up On It campaign aims to prevent addictions among our province�s youth by encouraging them to learn the real facts and to make smart personal choices.
These are just some of the many, many initiatives this government has undertaken to address the social issues facing the people of this province. We have demonstrated time and time again our commitment to helping those who need help most, and we will continue to do so.

I encourage all residents of the province, especially students, teachers and parents, to visit the campaign web sites at: www.GetTheFactsOnDrugs.ca and www.TalkingWithYourKids.ca, along with our own web site www.GetUpOnIt.ca, to get the information they need to ensure we combat drug use and its devastating effects.

2006 11 20                                   1:50 p.m.