SNUD Committee Report
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GOVERNMENT
RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NON-MEDICAL USE OF DRUGS
Ms. Paddy Torsney, M.P.
Room 213, Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A
0A6
Dear
Colleague:
This
is in response to the report of the Special Committee on Non-Medical Use of
Drugs.
You
and your fellow Committee members undertook an extraordinarily challenging task
in reviewing the issues surrounding the non-medical use of drugs in Canada.
The lives of far too many Canadians are devastated by the harmful use of
drugs. Your Committee is to be commended for recognizing the
importance of listening to the needs and concerns of these Canadians, as well as
the views expressed by people who are devoting considerable time and effort to
dealing with this highly complex problem.
We
note the comprehensive recommendations made in the areas of Canada’s Drug
Strategy, research and knowledge, public health, public safety, and cannabis
reform. In the 2002 Speech from the Throne, the Government committed to
implementing a national drug strategy, and to act on the results of
parliamentary consultations with Canadians on options for change in our drug
laws. The Government of Canada remains committed to this objective and the
Committee’s conclusions are proving to be most helpful in renewing the drug
strategy for government approval, and advancing work that has already begun in
areas such as harm reduction, drug treatment courts, border control, and
prevention programs.
As
you note in your report, dealing with the harmful use of drugs involves a range
of federal departments and agencies as well as provincial and territorial
governments, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, the medical
profession, and others. Consultation with the numerous stakeholders, on the
future of Canada’s Drug Strategy, has commenced and will continue as we move
forward. We also agree with the
importance of up-to-date research and knowledge development activities to
support evidence-based decision making, and recognize that the Government of
Canada has a leadership responsibility in addressing the non-medical use of
drugs.
On
behalf of my colleagues who share responsibility with me at the federal level
for dealing with the non-medical use of drugs, I would like to thank you and the
other members of the Special Committee for your comprehensive and insightful
report. There is no question that
it reflects a desire to ensure that the Government of Canada takes all possible
action to minimize the impact of drugs on individuals, families, and
communities.
Yours
sincerely,
A. Anne
McLellan