Health Canada Launches its Not4me Facebook® Fanpage Dedicated to Drug Prevention Among Youth

August 17, 2010

OTTAWA - Today, Health Canada launched its  not4me Facebook® Fanpage as part of the not4me youth drug prevention campaign of the Government of Canada's  National Anti-Drug Strategy. 

"Health Canada is excited to be launching its first Facebook® page, this one aimed at youth aged 13 to 15 as part of its 'Drugs not4me' campaign," said Minister Aglukkaq. "It is important for our Government to connect with youth and provide them with a venue where they can share their thoughts on the harmful effects of illicit drug use."

"Health Canada has risen to the challenge of reaching out to youth and delivering drug prevention messages which are relevant and engaging. Youth want their voices to be heard and the not4me Facebook® Fanpage is one more way youth are enabled to provide their comments about the choices they face about drug use," said  Michel Perron, Co-Chair of the  National Drug Prevention Advisory Committee and CEO of the  Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

This page will provide youth with relevant and interactive information on illicit drugs and their negative effects on which they will be encouraged to comment. It will also act as a forum where youth can engage with their peers. Other features of the page include an interactive quiz and an application called " The Drug-alizer" that visually shows the harmful effects of drugs on the body over an extended period of time.

In addition to the Facebook® page, the  'Drugs not4me' campaign includes a website, TV and cinema ads, transit and shopping mall posters, interactive internet banners, and a ringtone that all aim to build awareness among youth that drugs are dangerous and destructive. Within the not4me website, youth are also encouraged to share their stories. A teenager from Western Canada wrote:

"Drugs have wrecked my family and I am doing my best to let you all know who read this that no matter what you come from it doesn't mean that it makes you like that. Every single person on this earth makes choices and now its your turn to make yours!"
The National Anti-Drug Strategy is a collaborative effort involving the  Department of Justice,  Public Safety Canada and Health Canada, and includes three action plans: preventing illicit drug use; treating those with illicit drug dependencies; and combating the production and distribution of illicit drugs.

Quick Facts:   

• Marijuana smoke contains some of the same toxic substances found in tobacco smoke that can cause cancer.
• Ecstasy tablets are a street drug only made in illegal labs and may not even contain ecstasy. These tablets may contain cornstarch, soaps, detergents and other drugs.

It is difficult to tell the difference between hallucinogenic mushrooms and poisonous ones.