Drug policy
- The National Anti- Drug strategy was launched in 2007 and is led by the department of Justice Canada.
- There is a government budget for treatment of drug use disorders but not alcohol.
- Treatment services are primarily tax- based.
- The Strategy promotes a balance between restricting the supply of drugs and reducing demand for drugs.
Treatment and Recovery Services
- Pharmacotherapy for opioid treatment and alcohol withdrawal.
- Community based needle exchange programmes
- Supervised injection facilities
- Outreach services for injecting drug user
- Medical detoxification and residential rehabilitation is available for both alcohol and drug use disorders
- The key support for both alcohol and drug disorders come from General Practitioners, (Psychiatric) Nurses and Social Workers.
- Enhances treatment and support for First Nations and Inuit
Prevention Services
The Prevention Action Plan:
- Funds the development and implementation of community-based interventions and initiatives to prevent illicit drug use and abuse of prescription drugs, especially among youth;
- Discourages illicit drug use and prescription drug abuse by providing information directly to youth as well as to their parents and other concerned adults through the Web.
- Supports development of awareness materials and provision of awareness sessions to school-age youth, parents, professionals, and other community members.
- Federal mass media campaign particularly targeting youths.
- Government funding for development of evidence based research on prevention and treatment programmes.
- School and community based programmes.