AADAC TO OFFER MORE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH

The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) will offer more
addictions services for youth and their families as part of the
Alberta Drug Strategy with a recently announced budget increase.

A total of $14 million will be invested across the province to
enhance addiction services for youth and families ensuring the
appropriate level of treatment is available to youth who are
experiencing problems associated with alcohol and other drugs,
including crystal methamphetamine.

An additional $5 million will sustain AADAC's ability to meet demands
by strengthening AADAC's network of services throughout the province.
This increase brings AADAC's annual operating budget to $95 million
- -- allowing for the enhancement of services and continuing the
operation of 25 area offices, three urban clinics, three adult
residential treatment centres, two adult detoxification facilities,
two youth services centres, two youth residential and detoxification
facilities, and funding support to 37 different non-profit
organizations across the province offering addictions services and/or programs.

"In terms of our budget, we're responding to the community by
enhancing our delivery of information, prevention, and treatment
programs and services," says AADAC Chair, Dave Rodney.

Key actions for the upcoming year include:

Continuing to provide leadership for the Alberta Drug Strategy to
sustain an effective response to alcohol and other drug issues by:

Opening additional youth detoxification and residential treatment
beds in southern and northern Alberta; and Expanding AADAC's
continuum of youth services, by leading program development,
supporting regulation development, and implementing detoxification
and assessment services in support of the Protection of Children
Abusing Drugs Act (PChAD) that comes into force on July 1, 2006.

Establishing Health Partnerships

AADAC will continue to build relationships with the health sector and
other provincial partners to deliver addictions services in innovative ways.

AADAC is an agency of the Government of Alberta reporting to the
Minister of Health and Wellness. The Commission's role is to
positively contribute to the health of Albertans through the
provision of a province-wide system of addictions treatment,
prevention and information services.