Protecting our kids from drugs

December 16, 2009

Today, Minister Aglukkaq and Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Poilievre will launch the “Drugs Not-for-Me” campaign – the youth component of our National Anti-Drug Strategy.
 

• Our Conservative Government understands the dangers of drugs and the destruction they can have on people’s lives which is why Prime Minister Harper launched our Government’s National Anti-Drug Strategy in 2007.
  
  
• The National Anti-Drug Strategy has a two-track strategy: we will be tough on the dealers of drugs but compassionate to their victims, with a focus on prevention and treatment.
  
  
• Today’s announcement launches a new youth component to the National Anti-Drug Strategy, which aims to educate our kids on the dangers of illicit drugs and encourages them turn their backs on drugs, consisting of TV ads, a website – www.notforme.ca – and other social media geared to youth.  The campaign is an effort to prevent kids from using drugs.
  
  
• For too long in Canada, previous governments have sent mixed messages on drugs, tacking between prohibition and liberalization, so many times that Canadians are finding it difficult to know what the law says. The message of our Conservative Government is clear: drugs are dangerous and destructive.
  
  
• Since the launch of our National Anti-Drug Strategy, our Government has introduced a number of measures to get tough on drugs including introducing legislation to tackle serious drug crimes.  The Liberals, however, proceeded to gut this legislation in the Senate, removing mandatory penalties aimed at drug producers.
  
  
• Unfortunately, Michael Ignatieff and the Liberals claim to share Canadians concerns about drugs, but when the cameras are off, they gut, derail, delay or block urgently-needed legislation.
  
  
• Instead of blocking legislation that protects Canadians, and more importantly our kids, from the dangers of drugs, Michael Ignatieff and the Liberals should work with us in implementing our National Anti-Drug Strategy.  Canadians – and our kids – are counting on us.