Health Canada and the Canadian Hockey League announce public education partnership to help youth understand the facts about cannabis

The #FocusedOn campaign encourages youth to make positive and healthy lifestyle choices

OTTAWA, May 22, 2018 /CNW/ - The current approach to cannabis does not work. Canada has some of the highest rates of cannabis use in the world, especially among youth and young adults. That's why the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-45, the proposed Cannabis Act, to keep cannabis out of the hands of youth while keeping profits out of the hands of criminals and organized crime. As part of its public health approach to the legalization and strict regulation of cannabis, the Government has launched a robust public education campaign to inform Canadians, especially youth, about the health and safety facts of cannabis use.

Today, Health Canada is announcing a new partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to extend its public education campaign on the facts about cannabis. The CHL's #FocusedOn initiative provides another opportunity for the Government of Canada to engage young Canadians, young adults, parents and adults in the discussion on the facts about cannabis and will encourage youth to make healthy lifestyle choices to help them stay focused on their goals.

As part of this partnership, Health Canada and the CHL will work together to create videos and dynamic social media content as well as in-arena fan-based activities. CHL players will share their personal experiences about making positive choices to reach their personal goals. Health Canada will also work with the CHL to engage billet families to ensure that they have the support they need to talk to players and their own children about cannabis use. Through this partnership, the CHL and Health Canada will update and create new education materials on drugs and make it available to all players and their families.

The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories, public health and health professionals, community organizations and Indigenous organizations to collectively communicate with Canadians about the health and safety facts of cannabis and to encourage Canadians to make informed choices.

Quotes

"I am pleased to announce our partnership with the Canadian Hockey League to extend our public education campaign on the health facts about cannabis targeted at Canadian youth and young adults. Through innovative partnerships such as with the CHL's #FocusedOn campaign, we are engaging Canadians in an ongoing dialogue to help equip them with the information they need to make informed choices about cannabis."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor 
Minister of Health 

Quick Facts

• The CHL comprises 52 Canadian teams from the three Canadian major junior hockey leagues: the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League. The CHL also includes 8 additional teams based in the United States.
• Despite the fact that cannabis is illegal, 12% of Canadians reported using it at least once in 2015, according to the latest Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey. That rate is even higher for young people, with usage as high as 21% among youth, aged 15 to 19, and 30% among young adults, aged 20 to 24.

Associated Links
Government of Canada cannabis website 

SOURCE Health Canada

Thierry Bélair, Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709