Prescription drug abuse funding announced

Health Canada has announced an additional $3.5 million in funding for 2012-2013 to target prescription drug abuse (PDA) in northern Ontario First Nations.
The money follows up on $1.1 million that was earmarked for PDA programming in First Nation communities in 2011-2012.
"Tackling drug abuse is a priority for our government and First Nations, and we are committed to working together with the provinces and territories to address this complex issue," said Health Canada Minister Leona Aglukkaq in a statement.
An estimated $2 million of the new money will be used to support community-based projects dealing with PDA on the ground.
Ongoing programs in Kasabonika Lake and Eabametoong First Nations are being viewed as positive examples of successful community-based programs. Both First Nations have created community wellness development teams that work in the community to identify approaches for dealing with addictions at a local level.
The new federal PDA funding has been guided by the Ontario Trilateral First Nations Senior Officials Committee (TFNHSOC). TFNHSOC includes representatives from the federal government, the provincial government and the Chiefs of Ontario (COO).
TFNHSOC released a workplan earlier in 2012 recommending a series of immediate, short-term and long-term initiatives to improve health outcomes for First Nations people. The workplan identified mental health and addictions as the priority, with a focus on PDA.
The workplan set out a number of immediate steps to deal with health issues, including evaluating existing drug treatment programs, enhancing training opportunities for front-line mental health and addiction workers, and increasing public education and support for drug abuse prevention initiatives.
Newly elected COO regional chief Stan Beardy said the funding announcement marks a good first step in the fight against PDA.
"The solution has to involve all levels of government, as well as our own community leadership,” Beardy said. “Part of the solution must be to help reconnect the people, especially the young people, back to our basics, which is our special relationship to the land."