The Government of Alberta is providing grants for policing services across the province, and their community partners, in order to shine a spotlight on the dangers of drug abuse.
The grants come from the Proceeds of Crime Fund, which is a joint provincial-federal fund directed specifically at law enforcement for activities relating to crime prevention and drug education. The grants are supported with funds forfeited to the province following federally prosecuted Criminal Code offences. The grants are a maximum of $20,000 per project for a maximum 18-month period.
According to Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, the grants will be used to increase awareness surrounding drug and opioid use in province’s community, “with the ultimate goal of saving lives.”
In total, the province is providing $240,000 for 17 different projects in their efforts to raise awareness about drug use, particularly that of fentanyl.
The projects include:
- school programs connecting students to cultural activities that increase youth’s awareness surrounding substance abuse, while also educating them on prevention and early intervention techniques.
- community programs aimed at increasing awareness of drug problems, by improving education for citizens about the dangers of drug use and the risks associated with different drugs
- film projects involving students, in the creation and production of videos regarding drug risks
- training to criminal analysts in Alberta in order to build a provincial network in the hopes of increasing professional capacity
The Lloydminster RCMP Detachment is set to receive $8,000 for c0mmunity programs. Nearby, Cold Lake RCMP is also receiving a sum, though greater than that of Lloydminster’s Detachment, in the amount of $15,900. Their funds will be used for both school and community programs.
