Health and Community Services
November 17, 2014

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services:

National Addictions Awareness Week Recognized in Newfoundland and Labrador

Mr. Speaker, National Addictions Awareness Week is being recognized from November 17 to 21 in Newfoundland and Labrador. This week provides an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about substance abuse prevention, to talk about treatment and recovery, and to bring forward solutions for change.

Led nationally by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, this year’s theme places particular emphasis on youth substance abuse prevention.

Drinking and taking drugs continue to be significant issues for youth. Alcohol and cannabis are the most common drugs of choice however various prescription drugs are also problematic. Collectively, as a society, we must all do our part to learn more about prevention and ways we can improve our existing treatment and recovery methods. The recently formed Community Coalition for Mental Health in St. John’s is an outstanding example of a community coming together to raise awareness and take action.

Mr. Speaker, our government invests approximately $100 million annually to provide mental health and addictions programs and services in the province through our regional health authorities.

continuum of services for addiction prevention and treatment is available and includes youth outreach workers, dedicated addictions prevention staff, individual and group counselling, withdrawal management and residential treatment.

In June 2014 a new youth residential addictions treatment centre officially opened in Grand Falls-Windsor. Construction of a second adult residential addictions treatment centre in Harbour Grace is ongoing with an anticipated opening in the spring of 2015.

This past spring, our government launched the Understanding Changes Everything campaign which is aimed at challenging, and ultimately changing, the way people think and act toward individuals with a mental illness or addiction.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Honourable Members and members of the public to help create further awareness around this important issue. We all have a role to play and as a government, we are committed to enhancing services and supporting those in our province who are living with addictions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2014 11 17                                   4:00 p.m.