Recent Articles:

Below are past articles previously published in Drugs & Addiction Magazine. These are filled with current and relevant information and statistics and can be used as great conversation starters with youth.

Know Your DNA – How DNA Testing can help Predict Addiction

May 10, 2020

A “gold standard” study finds deleting Facebook is great for your mental health

January 31, 2019

It’s Bell Let’s Talk Day!

January 30, 2019

FDA’s opioids adviser accuses agency of having ‘direct’ link to crisis

January 25, 2019

New York Passes a Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy’ After Years-Long Efforts

January 22, 2019

Former Insys CEO pleads guilty to opioid kickback scheme

January 17, 2019

Resolve to Detox Your Social Circle

January 16, 2019

Easing test anxiety boosts low-income students’ biology grades

January 15, 2019

Craving insight into addiction

January 14, 2019

New book looks at the heart of Edmonton’s opioid epidemic through stories and art

January 11, 2019

People with low self-esteem tend to seek support in ways that backfire, study finds

January 10, 2019

Ban on cigarette sales in NYC pharmacies starts Jan. 1

January 9, 2019

Too many problems? Maybe coping isn’t the answer

January 8, 2019

Muslim youth group cleans up national parks amid government shutdown

January 7, 2019

For-profit college cancels $500M in student debt after fraud allegations

January 4, 2019

Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14

January 3, 2019

Sexting Teens

December 19, 2018

Screen Addiction: Today’s Biggest Threat to Schooling?

December 19, 2018

Texting Etiquette & Safety: 5 Rules for Keeping Your Kids & Teens Secure & Drama-Free

December 17, 2018

Amnesty International: Indigenous Peoples’ rights

December 17, 2018

New Canadians sworn in as Winnipeg museum celebrates International Human Rights Day

December 13, 2018

Statement by the Prime Minister on Human Rights Day

December 12, 2018

Fentanyl is the deadliest drug in America, CDC confirms

December 12, 2018

The Illustrated Version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

December 11, 2018

Homeless man with terminal cancer donates to holiday toy drive

December 10, 2018

Malala Yousafzai Honored by Harvard for Her Work Promoting Girls’ Education

December 7, 2018

Boy gets Colorado town to overturn snowball fight ban

December 6, 2018

Fortnite addiction is forcing kids into video game rehab

December 5, 2018

Clarity on Cannabis

December 4, 2018

Mental health education recommended for RCMP members following inquest

November 30, 2018

Social Media – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

November 28, 2018

Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence

November 27, 2018

#GIVINGTUESDAY TODAY ONLY YOUR GIFT CAN BE MATCHED

November 27, 2018

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

November 26, 2018

#ENDViolence in schools

November 23, 2018

Statement by Minister MacLeod on National Child Day

November 22, 2018

November 20th marks National Children’s Day across Canada

November 21, 2018

National Child Day

November 20, 2018

Facts & Figures

November 16, 2018

The Push For Change®

November 15, 2018

Winter Giving 101

November 14, 2018

First came the stroke, then the inspiration…

November 13, 2018

Canadian Youth Speakers Bureau: Scott Hammell

November 9, 2018

John Connors’ brilliant IFTA Award speech

November 9, 2018

Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone

November 8, 2018

This teen pizzeria employee traveled 3 hours to deliver pizza to a man with terminal cancer

November 6, 2018

Video captures joyful law student’s reaction to passing her bar exam

November 5, 2018

More teens in Sask. are smokers than in any other province: Health Canada survey

November 5, 2018

MADD Canada launches annual red ribbon campaign in Halifax

November 2, 2018

Young cannabis users who quit see improvements in memory, ability to learn

October 31, 2018

Nova Scotia’s Health Department says talks underway for province’s first overdose prevention site

October 31, 2018

Crystal meth eclipsing opioids on the Prairies: ‘There’s no lack of meth on the street’

October 29, 2018

Opioids Don’t Discriminate: An Interactive Experience.

October 26, 2018

Guelph police warn drug users of spike in purple fentanyl

October 25, 2018

Canadians share powerful stories of teachers who made lasting impressions

October 24, 2018

What exactly are you inhaling when you vape?

October 23, 2018

Study ADHD Medication Overdoses

June 14, 2018

A Cry for Guidance

January 18, 2018

Vaping 101 – Health Relation, Benefits, Dangers, Fun Facts and More

January 2, 2018

Your Friend’s Substance Abuse

September 15, 2017

Depression

September 15, 2017

Methamphetamines

September 15, 2017

Alcohol

September 15, 2017

25 Healthy Ways to Feel Better

September 15, 2017

MADD Canada launches annual red ribbon campaign in Halifax

November 2, 2018

By Silas Brown Reporter  Global News

MADD Canada kicked off its annual Project Red Ribbon campaign in Halifax on Thursday, placing particular focus on the newly-legalized recreational cannabis.

This is the 31st year of the campaign, and while cannabis impaired driving is not a new issue, this is the first year that the substance is legal.

“Cannabis was included in our ceremony today because it’s legalized so it allows us to have a more open conversation with people,” said Patricia Hynes-Coates, the MADD Canada national president.

“Cannabis on our roadways [has been an] issue for years, but with the legalization we know that now people are looking at the substance and may try it, maybe new users, so we’re trying to make sure that people realize that it does impair your body.”

Halifax Regional Police Supt. Don MacLean says dealing with cannabis-impaired drivers is nothing new for the department, but he’s unsure if there will be a holiday bump in those who toke and drive similar to those who drive drunk.

“That remains to be seen because this is new for us,” MacLean said.

“Cannabis is not a new commodity, certainly. But with the legalization of it and the access to it, which has been changed obviously, I think we do have a responsibility to make sure that we have resources and processes and measures in place [to make sure] that we are able to deal with those issues if they do arise.”

Hynes-Coates agreed that cannabis legalization carries with it many unknowns, but that conversations about the drug are now more frank and open.

“With the legalization, again, it’s allowed people to have that conversation that was a little taboo before. People were afraid to discuss it,” she said.

“Well now it allows people to have that conversation with their youth, with their children, with their peers, with their friends, with their community, so that they are aware that this does impair your system and we don’t want you on our roadways.”

MacLean says 1,265 people were charged with impaired driving in the Halifax Regional Municipality last year, highlighting the importance of year-round enforcement. But MacLean says that HRP do step up enforcement during the holidays.

“Holidays just seem to enhance the message. Certainly this is a year-long commitment,” he said.

“The numbers of impaired drivers that were charged in the last year was significant … but certainly through the holidays it is important that we’re out there, the people know that we’re out there and that certainly that assist, I think, in both a proactive and a preventative process.”

That process was highly visible Thursday. After the opening ceremony that saw remarks from local chapter volunteer Anissa MacLeod, Mayor Mike Savage, RCMP Chief Supt. Marlene Snowman, along with Hynes-Coates and MacLean, volunteers and officers took to the tolls at the Angus L. Macdonald bridge to hand out ribbons and tell drivers about the campaign.

Hynes-Coates says that Canada’s geography creates particular challenges for MADD Canada, but that the solution in every case comes down to preparedness.

“We’re geographically spread out, so yes it does cause some challenges. But again, this is where planning ahead comes in. We ask people to plan ahead, have a designated driver,” she said.

“It is on each of us. Each of us has to be accountable for themselves but you also have to be accountable for everyone else around you. So that if you know somebody is driving [impaired], stop them. If they’re going to get into that vehicle, get on a Ski-Doo, ATV, boat, and you know that they’ve consumed alcohol or drugs, or a combination make sure they don’t.”