Media Advisory

April 12, 2002

The House of Commons Special Committee on non-medical use of drugs will be in Charlottetown and Halifax for a series of public hearings and panel discussions to examine the extent of the drug problems in the Maritime area.  Public meetings will be held Monday, April 15^th in Charlottetown, PEI.  Meetings will continue in Halifax, N.S. on Tuesday, April 16^th, Wednesday, April 17^th and Thursday, April 18^th. 

The Committee will hear from expert witnesses, individuals and community groups continuing its national public consultation process.  The hearings will focus on drug policy, prevention and treatment options, harm reduction and the current state of enforcement policies.  The Committee will be touring the Addictions Research Centre in Montague, PEI on Monday, April 15^th.  On Wednesday, April 17^th the Committee will be visiting the Eagle’s Nest Recovery Centre in Schubenacadie, N.S.

The Special Committee on non-medical use of drugs is mandated to study the factors underlying or relating to the non-medical use of drugs in Canada and to bring forward recommendations aimed at reducing the dimensions of the problem across the country.  It will present its report to the House of Commons on November 1, 2002. 

Those individuals unable to appear before the Committee are encouraged to send their written comments to the Clerk of the Committee by e-mail at: snud@parl.gc.ca, by fax to (613) 995-2106 or by mail to: the Committees Directorate, 6^th Floor, Wellington Building, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 before June 1, 2002.  Individuals with an interest in appearing before the Committee while it is in Halifax, should communicate with the Clerk at (613) 798-6634 (cell phone from April 15^th to April 18^th).

Media Opportunities:

Event:             Public Hearings

Date:               Monday, April 15, 2002

Time:              08:30 – 12:00                 General Issues on Drug Use

Location:         Elfin Pekeha Room, Delta Prince Edward Hotel

18 Queen Steet

Charlottetown, PEI

Event:            Public Hearings

Date:              Tuesday, April 16, 2002

Time:              8:30 – 11:00                  Research & Drug Policy

                       11:00-12:30                    Individuals

Location:        Bluenose Room, Delta Halifax Hotel

                        1990 Barrington Street

                        Halifax, NS

Event:            Public Hearings

Date:               Wednesday, April 17, 2002   

Time:              8:30 – 10:30                Law Enforcement Panel

                       10:30 – 12:30                Harm Reduction Panel

Location:        Bluenose Room, Delta Hotel Halifax

Event:            Public Hearings

Date:               Thursday, April 18, 2002       

Time:              9:00 – 11:00                  Prevention/Treatment Panel

Location:        Bluenose Room, Delta Hotel Halifax

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For more information on the witnesses please see the Committee’s website at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/InfoCom/CommitteeSchedule.asp?Language=E&Parliament=8&Joint=0&CommitteeID=217

Additional information is available from: