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Health and Community Services
June 18, 2008

Province Receives Award of Distinction for OxyContin Task Force

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has received an award of distinction from the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) in recognition of the province's comprehensive response to the rise in OxyContin abuse through the creation of its OxyContin Task Force in December 2003.

�We are honoured by this award which recognizes our government�s commitment to taking action against substance abuse,� said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services.  �The establishment of the OxyContin Task Force was one of the first significant initiatives we implemented as a government and it has produced substantial improvements over the last four years in addictions services and our collaborative approach to addictions prevention and treatment.�

The OxyContin Task Force set out a comprehensive strategy for the management of OxyContin and other related narcotics abuse by bringing together the Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Community Services with collaborative response teams involving police, social services and health care workers.  The task force created a new community-based model for substance abuse prevention, intervention, treatment and harm reduction that can be applied to other jurisdictions confronting similar drug issues.

�The government demonstrated decisive and concrete leadership while at the same time setting a new 'best practice' standard that others in the substance abuse field can employ to quickly assess and take action on emerging drug issues,� said David Nicholson Board Acting Chair, CCSA.

The final task force report offered 50 recommendations, the majority of which have been implemented to date.  The Provincial Government has increased annual funding to strengthen mental health and addictions services by $14.6 million.  This funding includes initiatives which were a direct recommendation of the task force such as an opioid treatment centre; an adolescent day treatment centre; enhanced prevention, detoxification and harm reduction services ; and additional counselors for mental health and addictions offices.  Also included is the most recent Budget 2008 investment of $1.7 million to further enhance programs and services for persons with mental health and/or addictions issues.

This award follows the most recent initiative by the Provincial Government to target substance use. Consultations are currently being held to engage stakeholders across the province to help develop a Provincial Substance Use Strategy aimed at preventing and treating problematic substance use.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse has a legislated mandate to provide national leadership and evidence-informed analysis and advice to mobilize collaborative efforts to reduce alcohol- and other drug-related harms.  CCSA works collaboratively with governments, researchers, enforcement agencies, treatment professionals and the private sector to achieve a balanced and holistic approach to addictions that will lead to a healthier and safer Canadian public.

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Media contact:
Glenda Power
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
glendapower@gov.nl.ca

2008 06 18                                                        2:10 p.m.

 


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