Western Education receives funding for cannabis education

Western University’s Faculty of Education has received $99,000 from the Public Health Agency of Canada to work with stakeholders on identifying and scaling up effective school-based interventions that are aimed at promoting positive youth development and preventing problematic cannabis use and other problematic substance use among youth aged 11-18 years old.

Communicated in today’s announcement, this investment will help teachers, school counsellors, school and school board administrators get information on effective approaches to promote healthy behaviors and prevent substance use among youth.

“This investment allows us to use evidence-based research to ensure critical key messages are reaching those adults who interact with youth daily,” says Claire Crooks, a Faculty of Education professor and the Director of Western’s Centre for School Mental Health. “Although new legislation changes the landscape, we know a lot about how to help youth develop the assets they need to make healthy choices.”

This project funding is part of a larger announcement to support the development of tools and resources to help educators, public health professionals and community service providers inform Canadians about the health effects of cannabis.

“The project announced today demonstrates the government’s public health approach to the legalization and regulation of cannabis. These projects will ensure that public health professionals, education stakeholders and community service providers are well-equipped to provide Canadians with credible and evidence-based information to help them make informed decisions about cannabis,” says Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.

For more information on today’s announcement, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2018/06/public-health-agency-of-canada-announces-funding-to-help-frontline-workers-communicate-the-health-and-safety-facts-about-cannabis.html

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Renaud, Senior Media Relations Officer, 519-661-2111, ext. 85165, 519-520-7281 (mobile), jrenaud9@uwo.ca

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