Supporting young people in Newfoundland and Labrador
to speak about substance use is the main focus of 2010 Addictions
Awareness Week, which takes place from November 14 to 20. The Honourable
Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, today
announced some of the Addictions Awareness Week activities that will
take place throughout the province.
"This is an important time to remind the young people
in our province of the dangers of addiction and to emphasize the
importance of providing them with support to make healthier life
decisions," said Minister Kennedy. "The activities planned across the
province this week will encourage youth to talk about substance use and
to share how they have, and continue to make positive choices."
Addictions Awareness Week will officially kickoff
today at Carbonear Collegiate school with the launch of a one-person
play entitled Incinerator Road, performed by Joel Hynes,
Newfoundland writer, playwright, and actor. The play will also be
performed at a number of other schools during the week: Queen Elizabeth
Regional High School (Foxtrap), Holy Trinity High School (Torbay), and
Holy Spirit High School (Manuels).
Minister Kennedy also announced today that Choices for
Youth will receive $50,000 to support a social media campaign targeted
at youth and substance abuse. Choices for Youth will connect with other
youth-serving groups and agencies and youth across the province to get
messages out.
Several other activities organized by various groups
are taking place this week throughout the province, including the annual
Addictions Awareness Week Maze, which focuses on increasing awareness of
substance use and encourages healthy decision making for grade eight
students; school presentations; public information sessions and
displays; public skating events; and, community breakfasts and contests.
"Addressing addiction issues in our province is an
important priority for the Williams Government," said Minister Kennedy.
"We recognize the importance of ensuring that the proper programs and
services are in place to help with the prevention and treatment of
addiction, and we will continue to make significant investments in this
area so that residents have access to these services when and where
needed."
Budget 2010: The Right Investments
