The funds will pay for personnel and resources to come up with local strategies to reduce alcohol consumption. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Provincial funding

Northern Alcohol Strategy expands to three more communities

Oct 17, 2019 | 5:33 PM

The Northern Alcohol Strategy will be expanded to Creighton, English River First Nation and La Loche.

“Since this work began in 2016, it has gathered significant support and buy-in from community leaders in the North,” Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell stated in a media release. “We are excited to move into the next phase of this work with SGI’s help, so that we can continue to reduce alcohol-related harms and help people make informed decisions about responsible alcohol use.”

The expansion is made possible through a partnership between SGI, as well as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Corrections and Policing, which will contribute $250,000 beginning some time this year. The funding will provide for Northern Alcohol Strategy personnel and resources to support local leadership in the development of local solutions to reduce the impacts of alcohol misuse in those regions.

“I’m proud of my community’s collaborative work on our alcohol strategy so far and [I’m] looking forward to the next steps,” La Loche Mayor Robert St. Pierre said.

Work began on alcohol management planning in January 2016 in the tri-communities and since then Northern Alcohol Strategy staff have worked closely with stakeholders in the region to provide information on best practices to address the impacts of alcohol misuse in the region. Between November 2017 and March 2019, there has been an eight per cent reduction in alcohol-related emergency room visits in La Ronge.

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“These initial successes reflect the collaborative efforts of community agencies and organizations in working toward healthier communities through supporting moderation in alcohol-use, enhanced support in addictions treatment, and expanded family and youth alcohol-free activities,” Dr. James Irvine, who keeps track of statistics for the Community Alcohol Management Plan committee, said.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno