Government of Canada Announces Funding for Development of A Substance Abuse Program for Young Offenders in British Columbia

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - June 28, 2012) - Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond East and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M. P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced funding to the McCreary Centre Society for the development of effective substance abuse treatment program for young offenders with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and associated cognitive impairments in British Columbia.

"Our Government is proud to continue to work with our partners in order to help rehabilitate youth," said Parliamentary Secretary Findlay. "Supporting these programs helps in addressing complex issues like Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and substance abuse."

Speaking at the McCreary Centre Society in Vancouver, Ms. Findlay announced $236,919 from the Youth Justice Fund towards its Substance Abuse Programs For Youth With FASD And Associated Cognitive Impairments: Informing Best Practice Project.

The objective of this project is to gain a better understanding of the profile of youth with FASD and associated cognitive impairments. It also aims to contribute to the development of best practices in substance abuse treatment approaches that are geared specifically to youth with FASD and associated cognitive impairments.

The Youth Justice Fund provides grants and contributions to projects that help encourage a more effective youth justice system, respond to emerging youth justice issues and enable greater citizen and community participation in the youth justice system.

Current priorities include: addressing youth involved with gangs, guns and drugs; illicit drug abuse (under the National Anti-Drug Strategy); and youth in conflict with the law who are affected by FASD or mental health conditions.

To learn more about the Youth Justice Fund, please visit our Web site at: www.justice.gc.ca/youth.

Internet: www.canada.justice.gc.ca

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BACKGROUNDER:

YOUTH JUSTICE FUND

The Youth Justice Fund provides grants and contributions to projects that encourage a more effective youth justice system, respond to emerging youth justice issues and enable greater citizen and community participation in the youth justice system.

The Youth Justice Fund has three components:

• Youth Justice Main Fund;
• Drug Treatment; and
• Guns, Gangs and Drugs.

Projects must meet at least one of the following objectives:

• Establish special measures for violent young offenders;
• Improve the system's ability to rehabilitate and reintegrate young offenders;
• Increase the use of measures, outside the formal court process, that are often more effective in addressing some types of less serious offending;
• Establish a more targeted approach to the use of custody for young people; and
• Increase the use of community-based sentences for less serious offending.

The Fund supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of pilot projects that provide programming and services for youth in conflict with the law. It supports professional development activities, such as training and conferences, for justice professionals and youth service providers. Additionally, it funds research on the youth justice system and related issues.

Projects must target youth who are between the ages of 12 and 17 and currently in conflict with the law, or justice professionals and/or service providers who work with these youth.

To learn more about the Youth Justice Fund, please visit our Web site at: www.canada.justice.gc.ca/youth.