Thank you.
One of the areas we are looking at focusing on relates to the abuse of prescription drugs. Prescription drugs pose a serious and very complex problem. We have seen some of the media information out there related to a single pill. This is why we have provided funding and support to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse so that it could develop a national strategy on prescription drug abuse. That report and its recommendations will no doubt help to advance work in this area.
As a service provider for first nations and Inuit, this government has shown leadership by cracking down on prescription drug abuse in areas within our own jurisdiction. These measures have resulted in a 50% reduction in the amount of long-acting oxycodone provided to Health Canada's non-insured health benefit program, without a significant shift in other long-term areas.
The provinces and the territories, as well as health care professionals, pharmacists, and doctors, also have key roles to play in addressing prescription drug abuse. I have committed to working with all the partners, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse as well as the provinces and territories, to address this very issue.
Thank you.