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Youth

Government of Canada Invests in Youth Substance Use Prevention Programs Across Ontario and Alberta

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Government of Canada, through the Public Health Agency of Canada, has announced over $2.9 million in funding for community-based projects in Ontario and Alberta, aimed at preventing substance use among youth. The programs will implement the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM), a collaborative approach that focuses on building strong and healthy communities. Three projects, located in the Nipissing District, Lanark County, and the Timiskaming District, will receive funding to support the implementation and evaluation of the IPM.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over $2.9 million in funding has been allocated to support community-based projects in Ontario and Alberta.
  • Three projects will implement the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM), a collaborative approach that focuses on building strong and healthy communities.
  • The IPM focuses on strengthening factors that promote overall health and well-being, including healthy relationships, safe environments, and school and community connectedness.
  • The projects will emphasize cultural safety, health equity, and inclusive research practices, and will integrate input from diverse community partners and meaningfully engage youth.
  • Planet Youth Nipissing will support the implementation of the IPM in the Nipissing District, and will provide insights into youth health and well-being across pilot communities.
  • Open Doors Mental Health for Children, Youth and Families will support the continued implementation of the IPM in Lanark County, and will develop and evaluate interventions that enhance youth safety and well-being protective factors.
  • The Northeastern Health Unit will support the implementation and evaluation of upstream interventions in the Timiskaming District, including a partnership with a Brock University-based researcher to conduct intervention research.
  • Planet Youth Calgary will work with researchers from the University of Calgary to develop, implement, and evaluate data-driven interventions in Calgary, and will adapt the IPM for urban Indigenous youth.

Statistics:

  • $2,924,759 CDN in funding has been allocated to support community-based projects in Ontario and Alberta.
  • The projects will operate over a period of 3 years.
  • The Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) has been recognized internationally for its collaborative approach to preventing substance use harms among youth.
  • 4 communities will benefit from the funding, with 3 projects located in Ontario and 1 project located in Alberta.

Sources:

  • Government of Canada
  • Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Planet Youth Nipissing
  • Planet Youth Lanark County
  • Northeastern Health Unit
  • Planet Youth Calgary
  • Brock University
  • University of Calgary
  • Open Doors Mental Health for Children, Youth and Families

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