National News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montague, Prince Edward Island, August 18, 2003 - Professionals and experts involved in the delivery of treatment programs will be in Prince Edward Island this week to participate in the first National Summer Institute on Addictions. Co-sponsored by the Addictions Research Centre of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), the event will focus on improving methods for working with individuals experiencing difficulty with treatment. The event begins today and ends Thursday, August 21.

"This event provides researchers with an opportunity to learn about the latest interventions, to incorporate them into their work and to improve the treatment results of individuals with substance abuse problems," said Wayne Easter, Solicitor General of Canada. "This benefits all Canadians and is particularly pertinent in the correctional context. With the majority of convicted offenders entering our federal institutions with some form of substance abuse problem, improving upon our programs is an important part of our efforts to assist in their reintegration."

"The successful reintegration of offenders depends on involved communities and strong partnerships such as this one between CSC and the CCSA," said Lucie McClung, Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada. "The work of the Addictions Research Centre and the CCSA is invaluable to advancing our knowledge and improving our efforts in this very important area."

"This Institute allows us to better target interventions for those requiring special assistance," said Michel Perron, CEO of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. "This work reflects the importance of effective treatment as part of an integrated approach which includes prevention, education, and reintegration."

The event will provide researchers and professionals with the most advanced information, as well as opportunities to discuss and consider issues and challenges surrounding the application of treatment programs. By enhancing the efforts of those involved in delivering treatment programs, the forum will help advance Canada's renewed Drug Strategy, which takes a balanced approach to reducing the demand for, and supply of, drugs. Announced on May 27, 2003, the renewed Strategy will help address the underlying factors associated with substance use and abuse with education, prevention and health promotion initiatives as well as enhanced enforcement measures.

The event will also assist in advancing CSC's integrated approach in addressing the issue of substance abuse in correctional facilities. This approach includes controlling the entry of drugs, reducing demand for drugs, adopting harm reduction initiatives, providing treatment and conducting research. The Addiction Research Centre, which opened in May 2001, is the focal point for all drug and alcohol abuse research conducted by CSC.

As Canada's national addictions agency, the CCSA works in close partnership with the federal government and continues to provide unique opportunities for collaboration among those working in the field of addiction.

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For more information, please contact:

Michèle Pilon-Santilli
Correctional Service of Canada, Ottawa
(613) 943-2573

Karen Cumberland
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
(613) 282-2839