Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #06-015
January 23, 2006
Crystal Meth Education Series Held To Prevent Drug Use In Yukon
WHITEHORSE – Parents, professionals and youth will have the opportunity to learn about crystal meth - a harmful and highly addictive drug - by attending one of a series of prevention and education information sessions and workshops, Justice Minister John Edzerza announced today.
“Alcohol, crack and marijuana are still the cause of most substance abuse problems here in the North,” Edzerza said. “However, we know that crystal meth is causing serious problems in southern jurisdictions and we have the opportunity, through the Yukon Substance Abuse Action Plan, to do some important prevention work to help minimize the impact of this dangerous drug.”
The public presentation will take place Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the United Church basement.
The keynote speaker for this presentation is Cherylee Highway, who is from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute for Technologies. Highway’s presentation is titled “Crystal Meth: What Is It and How Can You Talk to Your Kids About It and Other Drugs?”
Highway will be joined by a panel of representatives from the RCMP and Alcohol and Drug Services. She will also deliver two presentations for staff and students at the Yukon College campus in Whitehorse.
Three workshops on crystal meth are also planned. A day-long workshop for nurses, social workers and other front-line workers was hosted by Alcohol and Drug Services, the RCMP, and Kwanlin Dun Health Jan 20. A workshop for youth will be held in conjunction with the B.Y.T.E annual youth conference, Jan. 28-29, and a third workshop will be part of the Women’s Health Forum scheduled for March.
“The more education we can provide to our professionals, youth, parents and communities, the better chance we have of preventing more youth from using the drug and assisting those who wish to stop using it,” Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers said.
For more information about the public information sessions and the workshops visit the Yukon Substance Abuse Action Plan website at http://www.substanceabuse.gov.yk.ca/.
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Contact: Peter Carr Deb Wald Cabinet Communications Advisor Communications Coordinator, Justice (867) 667-8688 (867) 393-7081 peter.carr@gov.yk.ca deb.wald@gov.yk.ca