News Release
1999-101
July 28, 1999
Minister Rock announces funding for alcohol and substance abuse programs in Ontario
TORONTO - Health Minister Allan Rock today announced federal funding for the Ontario Ministry of Health for alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitation programs and services. This announcement is part of the federal government's commitment to health promotion and the prevention of health problems that will pay long-term dividends in both the quality of life of Canadians and reduced pressure on the health care system. It also contributes to the federal government's efforts to address issues around the problem of homelessness.
"We know the problems substance abuse causes in families, the scars it leaves on children before and after birth, and the tragic consequences it has for so many of our young people," said Minister Rock. "In short, the consequences are damaging for our communities, our country and our health care system. That is why we must ensure that people who are dealing with addictions, have access to effective treatments and programs that will help them become healthy and full participants in society."
Federal efforts to support alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitation contribute directly to its work with partners at the provincial, municipal and community levels across Canada to find effective short-term actions and long-term solutions to the growing issue of homelessness and its underlying causes. The Government of Canada is also carrying out an ongoing assessment of federal programs and services that prevent and reduce homelessness.
Minister Rock made the announcement at a federally-funded project, 'Breaking the Cycle'. This program, funded by Health Canada's  Community Action Program for Children, provides supportive counselling for women experiencing problems of substance abuse and their children, parenting programs, child care supports and outreach programs for a group that is generally difficult to serve.
It is estimated that the cost of substance abuse to Canadian society was more than $18.45 billion in 1992. According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, alcohol accounts for more than $7.5 billion in costs, with lost productivity due to illness and premature death, and includes $1.3 billion in direct health care costs. Costs arising from illicit drugs are estimated at $1.37 billion, with direct health care costs estimated at $88 million.
Alcohol is known to be one of the leading causes of preventable physical, developmental and behavioural abnormalities in children. Researchers have found that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE), terms used to describe a medical diagnosis or a possible cause of a disability associated with the use of alcohol during pregnancy, often result in life-long disabilities. Up to three in every 1,000 babies, and more in some Aboriginal communities, are affected by FAS. Over a lifetime, the estimated extra health care, education and social services costs associated with the support of an individual with FAS are $1.5 million.
Today's federal funding announcement of more than $8.6 million over the next two years through the Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Program complements the federal government's efforts to help groups at risk. The following summaries describe some of the innovative programs and initiatives the Government of Canada has introduced to improve the health of children and provide adults at risk with the support they need.
The Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Program (ADTR)
Through the Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Program, the federal government is able to work with the provinces and territories on a cost-sharing basis to increase the availability of innovative and effective substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation programs and services for people with alcohol and other drug problems. A special focus of the program is women and youth, although the special needs of other populations are also addressed. The program is one component of Canada's Drug Strategy, designed to reduce the harm associated with alcohol and other drugs to individuals, families and communities.
The Community Action Program for Children (CAPC)
The Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) provides long-term funding to community groups to establish and deliver services that respond to the developmental needs of children from birth to six years of age who are living in conditions of risk. CAPC-funded prevention and early intervention activities help children get a better start in life, prepare them for school and improve their chances of growing into healthy adults. CAPC has an annual budget of $59.5 million. There are close to 400 projects in existence across the country.
The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)
The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP), a Red Book initiative announced in July 1994, helps communities develop or enhance programs for at-risk pregnant women in order to improve birth outcomes. CPNP-funded projects offer food supplementation, nutrition counselling, support, education, as well as referral and counselling on such lifestyle issues as alcohol abuse, stress and family violence. CPNP, which is co-managed with the provinces and territories, has a total budget of $24.9 million, with more than $7 million targeted for programs for First Nations women living on reserves. Now, with additional funding of $75 million over three years, as announced in the 1999 Federal Budget, more than 35,000 Canadian women whose health or whose baby's health is at risk will benefit from thi s investment in communities across Canada.
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Media Inquiries
Derek Kent
Office of Allan Rock
(613) 957-1515
Jeffrey Pender
Health Canada
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