Audrey McFarlane Appointed to the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse Board of Directors

OTTAWA, April 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, Health Minister Rona Ambrose announced the appointment of Audrey McFarlane to the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse (CCSA) Board of Directors for a three-year term.

Ms. McFarlane is currently the Executive Director at the Lakeland Centre for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Cold Lake, Alberta. She obtained her degree in Community Rehabilitation and has spent nearly two decades working with children and adults with developmental disabilities and providing training on FASD. She has also been deeply involved at the local, regional and national level on many issues concerning FASD, particularly in Canada's north.

The Government of Canada has made addressing substance abuse a priority and the contributions of the CCSA are an important part of that effort.

Quick Facts

• As announced in Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government of Canada has committed to expanding the scope of its National Anti-Drug Strategy to address prescription drug abuse.
  
• The CCSA receives funding from Health Canada through the National Anti-Drug Strategy.
  
• The CCSA provides national leadership to advance solutions that address health, social and economic harms associated with substance abuse and addiction.

Quotes

"Ms. McFarlane has been recognized for her strong contributions to improving healthcare to some of the most vulnerable members of society. I am confident that her extensive knowledge, skills and experience will help the CCSA in addressing substance abuse and the impacts of addiction in Canada. I am pleased to continue our partnership with the CCSA in keeping our communities safe and healthy."
Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health

"We are fortunate to add Audrey McFarlane's experience and breadth of knowledge to our Board. Her understanding of FASD, women's issues and remote populations provides a great complement to the important work undertaken at CCSA to address addictions and accompanying health and social issues."
Leanne Lewis
CCSA Board Chair.

"It is with great pleasure that we receive Audrey McFarlane on the CCSA Board. FASD affects as many as nine in 1,000 babies, yet FASD is preventable. Having Ms. McFarlane's expertise and attention to this issue will assist CCSA in educating people about FASD and advancing solutions to help Canadians live in a healthy society."
Michel Perron
CCSA Chief Executive Officer

Associated Links

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics
National Anti-Drug Strategy

SOURCE: Health Canada

Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
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Health Canada
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