Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Each year the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, CCSA, joins organizations across the country in observing National Addictions Awareness Week. Organized by CCSA, National Addictions Awareness Week highlights issues and solutions to help address alcohol and other drug-related harm. It provides an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about drug prevention, to talk about treatment and recovery, and to bring forward solutions for change.
In 2014, National Addictions Awareness Week will be held November 17th to the 21st, a little over a week from now. CCSA will also mark the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims on November 19th, during National Addictions Awareness Week, by drawing attention to the growing problem of drug-impaired driving.
Preventing youth from using drugs is a priority for CCSA and our partners, so this year’s theme for National Addictions Awareness Week is youth drug use prevention, especially addressing the use of alcohol, cannabis and prescription drugs among our youth.
I encourage Members and NGOs to join the dialogue, a dialogue to help create a healthier society, one free of harms of substance abuse and misuse. You can follow CCSA on Twitter – some of us are doing that – @CCSAcanada, and you can use the hashtag #NAAWCanada to help support this year’s activities during National Addictions Awareness Week. You can also share resources on your social media channels.
There are several activities that I am aware of that are planned for Yellowknife during National Addictions Awareness Week. One is the kickoff of National Addictions Awareness Week: a sober walk. Students, staff and community members will march through the downtown streets of Yellowknife on Monday, November 17th. As well, the Tree of Peace will be hosting an information fair on the first day of National Addictions Awareness Week. Many organizations around Yellowknife that deal directly and indirectly with addictions will be there at the fair.
I invite everyone to take part in National Addictions Awareness Week events in your community, and remember, if you need help, it is available to you. Take advantage of it.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
