Media Advisory - News Conference - Release of the National Strategy to Address the Harms Associated with Prescription Drugs

OTTAWA, March 25, 2013 /CNW/ -

Wednesday, March 27
11:30 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Delta City Centre Hotel, Ballroom C
101 Lyon Street, Ottawa

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), in collaboration with the National Advisory Council (NAC) on Prescription Drug Misuse, will be holding a news conference to release the national strategy to address the harms associated with prescription drugs.

The Issue

Certain prescription drugs, like opioids, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers are associated with devastating harms such as addiction, overdose and death. As a result, these drugs can have an overwhelming impact on people's lives and their families, as well as place a significant burden on our healthcare, social services and public safety systems.

The Response

In response to this growing problem, CCSA, in partnership with the Coalition on Prescription Drug Misuse (Alberta), the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness and the NAC, has led the development of a national strategy that defines the scope of the crisis Canada faces and provides a 10-year roadmap to reduce the harms associated with prescription drugs. The strategy will lay out achievable, comprehensive short- and longer-term recommendations that the NAC believes will address these harms and have a collective impact.

Keynote Speakers

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council

Michel Perron, Co-chair, National Advisory Committee on Prescription Drug Misuse; Chief Executive Officer, CCSA

Dr. Susan Ulan, Co-chair, National Advisory Committee on Prescription Drug Misuse; Co-chair, Coalition on Prescription Drug Misuse (Alberta); Senior Medical Advisor, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta

Carolyn Davison, Co-chair, National Advisory Committee on Prescription Drug Misuse; Director, Addiction Services, Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness

Panelists will be speaking about prevention, education, treatment, monitoring and surveillance, enforcement, and First Nations. One panelist, Ada Giudice-Tompson, Vice-President, Advocates for the Reform of Prescription Opioids, will provide a personal account of her son's death from prescription drugs.

Live Webcast

A live webcast of the news conference begins at 11:30 a.m. (EST), Wednesday, March 27. Advance registration is recommended (technical support is provided to assist as needed). Media are invited to send questions via email.

Register at:

https://ers.snapuptickets.com/ers/online-registration-conference.cfm?y=ZWlkPTU4NyZsYW49ZW5n

Parking

Access for satellite trucks and cabling via Queen Street. Cabling via loading dock direct into Ballroom C. Street parking is available, hotel parking via Queen Street (parking fees apply).

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse changes lives by bringing people and knowledge together to reduce the harm of alcohol and other drugs on society. We partner with public, private and non-governmental organizations to improve the health and safety of Canadians. CCSA activities and products are made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views of CCSA do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of Canada.

SOURCE: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

Contact

Suzanne Stoltz, Communications Advisor, CCSA
Tel.: [phone] ext. 240
Email: [email protected]