Public Health Agency of Canada announces funding to help frontline workers communicate the health and safety facts about cannabis

New cannabis public education projects will support health professionals, education stakeholders and community service providers

OTTAWA, June 13, 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.

Today, the Public Health Agency of Canada is announcing an investment of $223,000 for three organizations — the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the University of Western Ontario, and Health Nexus — to support frontline workers in informing Canadians about cannabis health and safety. These organizations will develop public education tools and resources for public health professionals, education sector stakeholders (such as educators, school counsellors, school and school board administrators), and community service providers.

Evidence-based tools and resources developed through these investments will help inform Canadians who may be at greater risk, such as children and youth, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, about the health effects of cannabis and will help prevent problematic substance use.

The Government of Canada continues to accept proposals from community-based and Indigenous organizations for projects that respond to specific public education and awareness needs related to cannabis.

Quotes

"The Public Health Agency of Canada will play an important role in Canadians' choices about the use of cannabis. Tools and resources developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the University of Western Ontario, and Health Nexus will further strengthen the capacity of health professionals, educators and service providers to communicate with Canadians on the impacts of cannabis use."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

"The projects announced today demonstrate the Government's public health approach to the legalization and regulation of cannabis. These projects will ensure that public health professionals, education stakeholders and community service providers are well-equipped to provide Canadians with credible and evidence-based information to help them make informed decisions about cannabis."
Dr. Theresa Tam
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

Quick Facts

• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is receiving $99,000 in funding to develop and implement tools, resources and training materials for health professionals on the evidence and recommendations from its Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines.
• The University of Western Ontario is receiving $99,000 in funding to scale up and develop resources to inform education sector professionals about existing school-based interventions designed to prevent and minimize the risks and impacts associated with problematic cannabis and substance use among youth 11 to 18 years old.
• Health Nexus is receiving $25,000 in funding to adapt resources for frontline community service providers, to help them to engage their clients in discussions to prevent and reduce the harms of cannabis use during preconception, pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting.
• Budget 2018 committed $62.5 million over five years to support community-based organizations, and Indigenous organizations in educating their communities on the risks associated with cannabis use. This is in addition to the previously announced investment of $46 million over five years to support public education, awareness and surveillance activities.

Associated Links
Government of Canada cannabis web portal
Health Canada's Substance Use and Addiction Program
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
University of Western Ontario
Health Nexus

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

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