Ecole Julie Riel

Yesterday I spoke at Ecole Julie Riel, one of the schoold TJ went to. Kelsey Lafreniere asked me to speak to about 100 kids at her school. Her sister Stacey was the keynote speaker at the 2009 Gala.

St. Emile School

Yesterday I spoke at St. Smile School to 110 Grade 5-8 students.

...Sent from Floyd's iPhone

Karen spoke at Windsor Park Collegiate Today

While I was traveling up north, Karen spoke to the students at Windsor Park Collegiate.

Floyd flies up to St. Theresa's Point.

Well I just got off the RCMP plane and helicopter from St. Theresa Point. 
The MKO Northern Manitoba Chiefs were all meeting for a conference called Chiefs General Assembly on Illicit Use of Drugs & Associated Gang Activity.

I spoke to the general assembly this afternoon about the TJ's Gift Foundation's Soaring Eagles Conference in September.

After my presentation, the entire room gave me a standing ovation and each Chief in the room including Grand Chief Ron Evans and Grand Chief Dr. Sydney Garrioch came over to the podium shook my hand and gave me a huge hug. Stu Evans, the RCMP that was with me said that he had never witnessed anything like that before.

I never expected this at all. It was simply amazing. I know that they will all be sending their children to our conference.

Chief Ron Evans pulled me aside and told me that he wants to work closely with me.

Very exciting...

Lavallee School

I have spoken at Lavallee School many times and today I will once
again. Today I am speaking to the Transisitions To Success Progam
students.

...Sent from Floyd's iPhone

Marion School

Today I spoke to Grades 4-8 at Marion School. I've never spoken to
such young kids as this but I didn't change anything at all. They also
needed to hear how bad things can get. They were however full of
questions.

West Kildonan Collegiate

Just left WKC after speaking about the legal system. Also spoke about
how simple decisions can affect the rest of their lives, even murder.

Speaking to Law Class

I am speaking to West Kildonan Collegiate students today. The Law class teacher asked me to speak to his students about my experiences in the legal system. Considering I spent 11 months in court, I have a lot of experience, unfortunately. 11 months, Monday to Friday... This was spread out over a period of three years mind you, but still mind boggling...

More great and powerful quotes from kids...

These are just some of the powerful statements I get from kids after one of my presentations...

1. Hi Floyd, I'm a student from Sisler Highschool. I'd just like to say that was an amazing message you got through to me, and the other students. It was an amazing speech, but it's sad that you had to use your son as an example of such a horrid event. After hearing what you and your family had to go through because of this, I NEVER want to do any drugs under any circumstance. I understand it was hard to talk about, but thank you so much for coming to sisler and telling us about it. Im sure it made students not want to do drugs, or if people have been using or selling drugs, im quite sure they are having second thoughts. Once again, thank you Floyd.

2. I go to St. Pauls Collegiate in Elie, 

I really love your speech and what you had to say. 
it was soooo inspiring, and i know alot of my friends thought so too! 
thanks agaain! (:

3. hey your story about T.J. really touched me and your really cool :D

4. The story you told us grade 9's today was truely inspiring. Your story hit me hard, and I soon hope to i can help my friends in need of help.

5. You probably hear this a lot but your story made me cry like 4 times, I saw the presentation twice, and it made me cry both times. It really touched me. I have some friends that do drugs, well not really friends we used to be untill they started using and I just wanted to ask how do I explain to them that using is just as bad as selling ? I really miss them I know they're way better then that they're real smart kids, and I really want to help them out, just reply when you get the chance.  Thanks so much for sharing the story. 

6. A Facebook Status: Listened to a guy talk about how drugs killed his son. It was an inspiring speach...

Speaking At Sisler High School today with Adapt Campaign

Once again the Adapt Campaign has asked me to speak at one of their campaigns against crystal meth. Fresh IE will be performing before me and I will tell TJ's story to the students.

West Kildonan Collegiate - Student's comments - AMAZING

I am going to publish some of the great comments the kids made to me via Facebook or emails or verbally. They are amazing.

1. "When you said " When you buy a drug, your helping kill another human" It hit me, and I used it on one of my friends because I am really against pot ect. And anyone I hang around with does it. You know how the skateboarders are. Either way good kids, but I kept calling my friend a murderer and he said "I know, I wish I could stop, its just the kids I hang around with" So I hope that knocked some sense into him."

2. "id just like to say thanks for coming to our school that your speach was amazing, all my friends were talking about "T.J's story". one boy in my class asked what T.J's story was...and everybodys answer was the same "you trully have to be there and hear it to understand it " well thanks for coming once again and T.J's story really helped me to see how bad you get get in to drugs. p.s keep it up and im sure at least one or two or even more people in my school have been motavated to change there ways because nobody not even you should have to go through what you did. so all i have to say now is plz keep doing what you are doing!!!"

3. " I also wanted to inform you that one of my friends who is a major marijuana user is trying to quit after hearing your story. I just thought I should let you know that you are making a difference by telling his story, no matter how difficult it may be. "

4. "I just wanted to say thank you for coming to speak to us today what you do is an amazing thing and i wish you and your family the best"

5. "A lot of the people around me still do use drugs. After your presentation today, however, they've taken a step back to look at the whole perspective of things! You really are a brave and strong man to be able to go in front of large crowds and talk about your son like that. I would have never had the strength to do so."

6."I really enjoyed your speech today in the afternoon, it takes some big guts to tell everyone about what happened to your son and what horrible things that go on in this world, its scary. Keep Moving forward with everything your doing, to help with drug related problems that we have in this world!!! I for sure will, I have never been involved with drugs or even tried it and your story is going to be the reason why I will never do drugs in my life. One of the better role models i know now :D"

7. "Thank you so much for comming to West K; the story of your son && the drug dealing may have just helped another life, i know someone who plans on dealing, i mean, nothing big, just weed, but now i know that i will need to convince him that is NOT a good idea. " 

West Kildonan Collegiate

I was invited to speak at the West Kildonan Collegiate today. I spoke to 4 separate groups. The kids were so attentive and riveted at TJ's Story. When I got home, I was absolutely worn out. I jumped into the hot tub, and virtually passed out. Then my iPhone started buzzing and didn't stop all night. 35  kids added me to Facebook, and I was carrying on 3-4 live conversations at the same time. The comments that were made were incredible. 

These kids were telling me that their friends or themselves were stopping drugs as of that day. They told me of friends that were thinking of becoming a drug dealer, and now they had the power to stop their friends going down that road. One student approached me in the hallway and told me that he "was doing a lot of shit" and after hearing TJ's story, we was rethinking what he was doing. That takes a lot of guts to come up to me and admit that. I heard stories of students parents doing drugs and asked how they could help them stop. I just about cried along with them.

The story changes every time I tell it, as it is such a big story. Some of the kids attended more than one session, and when they left, they commented, "Am I ever glad I came back to hear it again! Thank you!" As I left the school, so many kids commented to me about the sessions.

I'm going back on Friday to speak to another large group.

Floyd speaks at Lockport School with The Adapt Campaign.

Today I spoke to 450 kids (ages 10 - 14) at Lockport School. I was invited to speak by the Adapt Campaign. Today was the premier showing of their new music video called Crystal. It is a powerful video produced with Fresh IE. The video was shown after a rousing introduction by a radio personality from HOT103. The Fresh IE was introduced and the kids were in a really fun atmosphere. It was great.

After the video, I was introduced and during my entire time in front of them, you could have heard a pin drop. 450 kids listening intently to the details of TJ's story. They were full of questions, incredible questions, and once again, I know that TJ was there saving kids.

In fact, as soon as I got home, once again, I received emails thanking me for my talk. Remember, when we get these emails, kids go to our website, and seek us out to give us their words. I think that's amazing.

CTV was there and I was interviewed for the news.

Floyd & Karen speak at Teulon High School

Several months ago, a concerned person, working in the Teulon High School sent me an email asking us to speak at the school during "Drug Awareness" week. There are 250 students in this school, and we were in front of the students for 90 minutes. Karen spoke about who TJ was and made several pointed facts about drugs, Floyd told the story and the details behind the murder. The 250 kids were amazing in how attentive they were.

After our talk, several students gathered around us and told us how concerned they were about drugs, and some reported their own families struggles with Crystal Meth. Several of the students were in tears. We certainly made a memorable impression on these kids. When we got home, I received several emails from students thanking us for our story, and the promise to help others.

While this certainly takes a mental toll on us, we sure feel that TJ is in the room with us. It's amazing.

Floyd speaks at Lavallee School

For the third year in a row, Floyd was invited to speak to a group of students. This all started as an extension of a workshop put on by RaY, or Resource Assistance for Youth, which I work together with.

This year, I was on my own. I spoke to a small group of about 15 kids. This is a much more intimate group as it is so small, so the dynamics are quite amazing. After I was done, I had a most incredible conversation with one of the students. I can't go into detail as to what he told me, but let me say, his story to me and my effect on him, were truly inspiring. 

Then when I got home I had an email from another student. I can't believe what he had done after class. He got in front of his computer, and produced a TV show on my presentation and published it on YouTube. I was truly impressed and truly thankful for him trying to further our reach into the world. To see his show, simply CLICK ME...

Gutter Aid - Street youth problem epidemic, panel told

Street youth problem epidemic, panel told
By: Shane Minkin
Updated: October 15 at 11:39 PM CDT

On any given night in Winnipeg, there are up to 3,000 youths living on the streets.

That was just one of the shocking statistics cited at a panel discussion at the Gas Station Theatre to kick off the three-day Gutter Aid program, which aims to raise awareness of young people living on the streets of Winnipeg.

The topic for Wednesday's discussion was Gangs, Violence, Crime and the System and featured Winnipeg Police Chief Keith McCaskill, defence lawyer Saul Simmonds, crime victim Floyd Wiebe and youth mentor Jason Romanyshyn, who lived on the streets as a teen.

Wiebe told a harrowing tale of searching the streets for weeks for his son TJ, who was later found murdered in January 2003.

Romanyshyn spoke eloquently of his distrust for the police during his years on the streets.

Expressing surprise, McCaskill admitted there were probably a few bad apples among his 1,328 officers.

And Simmonds called for a moratorium on arresting and prosecuting youth for petty drug crimes such as marijuana possession, which he said does nothing but ruin young lives and clog the courts. "We need to go after the head of the snake," Simmonds said, referring to the big-time cocaine and meth dealers.

Gutter Aid continues at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at the Gas Station Theatre, with a musical component later in the evening down the street at the Cavern. 

Thursday's panel topic is Mental Health, Addictions and the System, and features comedian Big Daddy Tazz, Chris Sommerville of the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society and John Borody of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.

Friday's panel examines Abuse, Neglect, Poverty and the System and features sociologist Dr. Elizabeth Comack, David Northcott of Winnipeg Harvest, Sonia Prevost-Derbecker of Child and Family Services and Dave Angus from the Winnpeg Chamber of Commerce.

The panels are free and open to the public.

For more info go to www.RaYinc.ca OR www.TJsGift.com

CBC TV - 9/23/09 - Father of murder victim applauds Tories' justice proposal

Father of murder victim applauds Tories' justice proposal
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 | 12:03 PM CT Comments17Recommend13
CBC News
A Winnipeg man whose son was murdered welcomes the changes to the federal justice system promised Monday by the campaigning Conservatives.

Under Conservative Leader Stephen Harper's proposal, young people 14 and over found guilty of crimes such as manslaughter, murder or aggravated assault would face tougher sentences, and no longer have their identities protected.

The act currently forbids the release of young offenders' identities, unless the accused are found guilty and handed adult sentences.

Judges would also be allowed, under the Tory proposal, to decide whether a young offender who is convicted again for a less serious crime should be identified.

Floyd Wiebe, whose son T.J. was murdered in Winnipeg 2003, says offenders should be named, whatever their age.

"While my son's five or six court cases were going through, my son's name was dragged through the press as being a drug dealer, etc... So was the young offender that had him murdered, that planned his murder, and yet his name has never been public," he said.

Two men were convicted of second-degree murder in Wiebe's killing; a third was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder. A fourth man, who was a youth at the time of the killing, was acquitted. His name has never been revealed.

"Here he is, walking [free] — in fact, I just met him at Home Depot just a couple of months ago — and the public doesn't know who he is. I find that offensive."

Having been acquitted, the youth's name would still not be revealed under Harper's proposals.

Naming offenders like 'branding them for life'

Kelly Holmes, executive director of Resource Assistance for Youth in Winnipeg argues that naming young offenders even after they are convicted of serious crimes will make it more difficult for them to find their way back to a law-abiding path.

"There's not one youth that I know that doesn't make mistakes. It's a part of their learning and growing," she said.

"Yes, some [mistakes are] serious, but to have them identified is like tattooing them or branding them for life. How do they recoup that, or how do they change? Or how do they grow with that on their back?"

It's more productive to invest in programs for young people, Holmes said.

The Conservatives also vowed to extend the youth gang prevention fund established in early 2007 and increase its budget to $10 million a year. The fund provides communities with money to combat street gangs.

Almost 40,000 youths were accused of serious and violent crimes in 2006. The crimes included nearly 160 murders or attempted murders, 2,100 sexual assaults and 4,500 robberies.

Gutter Aid

I am so honoured to be part of Gutter Aid occurring on Oct. 14 through 18th at the Gas Station Theatre. I am the keynote speaker on October 15th, and the subject of my talk is: "Gangs, Violence, Crime and the System". Following my talk, is a panel consisting of Winnipeg's Chief of Police Keith McCaskill and defence lawyer Saul Simmonds.

A couple of years ago, I found out that a man named Andrew Ward was telling TJ's story to high school students throughout Winnipeg. He booked a couple of tickets to the TJs Gift Gala, and soon I was working with Andrew helping students understand the dangers of illegal drugs. Andrew is a counsellor at RaY, Resource Assistance for Youth.

Please visit the Gutter Aid website for more info.

CBC Interview Recording

If you click on THIS LINK, it will take you to an audio vault that is hosting the CBC Interview with me about my meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. You can download it or simply press play and listen. Thanks for listening! Floyd Wiebe

Floyd Wiebe & Karen Wiebe meet Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper today

I am so impressed that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has asked Karen and I to meet with him once again to talk to us about drugs and children and what we can do to prevent them from drugs. Educators, Police, a father, a mother, and others all participated in a round table discussion. The Prime Minister really wanted our thoughts and made copious notes throughout. We viewed the governments new television advertisements that are directed to parents to talk to their kids about drugs, and we welcome them!

Check out the pics I took!

Shelly Glover, the Conservative candidate in St. Boniface, has this on her webpage.

Floyd Wiebe & Karen Wiebe meet Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper again!

This weekend, Floyd Wiebe & Karen Wiebe were called by a representative of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to ask us to participate in a round-table meeting with parents regarding youth and drugs in Winnipeg. We last met with the Prime Minister on October 5th, 2007 when he announced "The National Anti-Drug Strategy".

We are once again honoured to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and we can only hope that we can make a difference.

From the Free Press:
Harper to join city parents for talk on youth and drugs
Updated: August 5 at 12:50 PM CDT

PRIME Minister Stephen Harper will participate in a round-table meeting with parents regarding youth and drugs in Winnipeg on Wednesday. Harper will be joined by Vic Toews, president of the treasury board, in the Common Room at the Winakwa Community Club at 9:30 a.m.

Shocked - Murderer back in Winnipeg...

Last night, I almost had my third heart attack. The person that was the mastermind (CLICK ME) behind TJ Wiebe's murder is back in Winnipeg! I was shopping at Home Depot in St. Vital, and was pushing my cart of 2 X 4's merrily down the aisle. I see his mother first, and then right beside her was the murderer. I had no idea what to do, in fact it was the first time in my life that I actually felt that I would faint. My stomach turned, I almost threw up. I questioned myself, what do I do, how do I react, should I allow him to see me, should I leave my cart and leave the store, etc etc etc.

I peered around the corner several times, trying to assess what I should do, and suddenly they disappeared in an instant. I am pretty sure they saw me as, well, I am hard to miss. I paid for my wood, and sat in my truck, waiting for them to leave. WHY did I do that? I have no idea. I had no idea what I would do if I saw them leave. I called my kids and Karen, and my daughter came flying down to support me in my what to do mode. We left without seeing them. I guess the sight of me scared them out of the store, although I am only guessing.

I had heard that he left for the United States immediately after he was acquitted from his 1st Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder. He was acquitted, because Justice Joan McKelvey tossed out all the co-conspirator's video-taped confessions of their own involvement and his involvement, and as a result, she stated, ...Although I conclude that "murderer" was involved in the planning and the murder of TJ Wiebe, I cannot convict him as there is no evidence left to support it... DUH! Interestingly enough these very tapes were enough to convict three others of murder or conspiracy or both, yet in her eyes they were not enough to convince her that the ONLY person that knew TJ, was in fact guilty. Three other judges refused to allow the murderer out on bail because of the mountain of evidence, and that he was a danger to society. But the trial judge, released him. At least he spent 32 months in the Youth Centre.

I was talking to a friend (who's son was also murdered) about this and she said something very interesting to me, something that I had never really thought of. She said that with most homicides, once the trial is done, there is no more reporting on the murder. Especially if the murderer is acquitted. With the TJ's Gift Gala and The TJs Gift Foundation, with all the radio ads, the newspaper ads, newspaper articles, the website, this murderer is constantly reminded what he did and what he got away with. That being said, if he is a sociopath, which I believe he is, it would have no impact whatsoever.

Anyway, I hope I don't have a repeat of this...

Floyd is speaking at a school today.

Once again, I am speaking at a school over the lunch period to a group of kids at a school in the Louis Riel School Divison. Andrew Wade from Resource Assistance for Youth - R.a.Y. has been having a Teens and the Drug Trade Workshop with many students in Winnipeg schools, and he has invited me to be an additional part to this workshop. It is tough to go into detail about what happened to TJ, but this kids need to understand that although Andrew may be teaching them through this incredible workshop, the TJ Wiebe story certainly adds a dimension of realty to it.

I remember last year when I spoke, the kids were riveted to their seats, and in fact I keep in touch with some of them to this day.

Floyd Wiebe

A successful evening...

Well, Tuesday night was a fabulous success. We raised $50,000 and counting... for all the schools in Winnipeg to continue peer education programs in drug awareness. 474 people got together and really enjoyed the incredible meal that Canad Inns Polo Park served us. People have commented that the meal alone was worth the $85.00 ticket price.

1. The "TJ's Gift" Baseball Hat auction brought in a profit of $1,600 and we still have 45 hats to sell.
2. The Live Auction brought in over $8,000
3. The Card Auction brought in about $1,600
4. The Silent Auction brought in over $3,000
5. The WestJet Raffle brought in over $4,000
6. Donations from people that could not attend was over $4,000

All of this was simple amazing.

Rob Willman's speech brought the entire crowd to a standing ovation. You can hear his speech on the Media Pages on the website under the CBC link with Margeaux Watt. Rob was a complete stranger to us until what happened to him brought us together. Many people, especially MLA's approached him afterwards to ask him to speak to schools in their areas. WOW.

Simply an amazing evening...

The Premier's Dinner

Last night we attended The Premier's Dinner. It was an amazing evening and our Premier Gary Does told me that once again, he would support our gala!

Karen & Floyd Wiebe meet with Stephen Harper...

(This picture was taken with my cell phone, in the round table and Karen's arm is at the left. She was directly across Mr. Harper, and I took a back seat behind my "First Lady!")



We were very honoured to be invited by the Prime Minister to join in a round table discussion about drugs in Canada. Federal Ministers Vic Toews, Tony Clement, Stockwell Day and Stephen Fletcher attended as well. There were RCMP, Winnipeg's Chief of Police, Police Associations, addiction agenices etc that were also involved. Carole Johnson, mother of a daughter that was killed a couple of years ago, a Winnipeg Police officer's teenaged daughter (her father was shot by a man on Jubilee during a drug raid), and Karen and I were the only "victims" in the room, and I must say the majority of the conversation was from this group.

The round table was held an hour before the media announcement.


Floyd Wiebe - TJ's Gift Foundation - www.tjsgift.com

Floyd Wiebe's comment on Drug Strategy is captured in the Free Press...

By Joe Paraskevas

Tory drug plan earns applause, little criticism
Focus on both prevention and enforcement welcomed

The father of a young man murdered in a drug-related crime, who has set up a foundation that supports youth drug awareness and education, also applauded the government's emphasis on both prevention of drug use and law enforcement.

"What makes us excited about today is that two-thirds of this funding is based on exactly what we stand for and one-third is based on putting (people) away very strongly for bringing the drugs into the public," said Floyd Wiebe, director of the Winnipeg-based T.J.'s Gift Foundation, named for his son.

"I've never heard of anything this vast or this comprehensive," added Wiebe, who was among a group that met with Harper before his announcement. "I love the two-step approach, two step meaning education and enforcement. ...You can come down with all kinds of laws to put drug dealers away, that's not going to solve your issue."

Following is the entire article...

Fri Oct 5 2007

By Joe Paraskevas



EXPERTS hailed the federal government's anti-drug strategy Thursday, saying it's a balance between tough law enforcement and compassion for young drug users.
Some, however, gave the strategy little chance of succeeding, saying the strategy's attempts to change social attitudes towards drugs were misguided.

And amid the reaction to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's announcement, there was also disbelief that this was the same politician who had built a reputation on viewing illegal drug use largely as a criminal issue.

"The first thing that struck me was I was surprised at how much was earmarked for what they call prevention and treatment," said University of Manitoba criminologist Frank Cormier.

According to Harper, $63.8 million will be divided between preventing illegal drug use, treating drug dependencies and fighting drug production and trafficking.

"Given... the approach to crime and justice from this government, I expected, just based on past behaviour, more of an enforcement approach than a treatment approach," Cormier added.
Still, he gave the strategy a thumbs up.

"I agree with the approach, that is, putting more emphasis on treatment and tackling the problem itself rather than reacting to it and locking people up," Cormier said.

But he questioned the strategy's aim of changing social attitudes towards illegal drugs.

"If you approached the vast majority of young people in the country and said, 'What do you think about using crystal meth or smoking crack cocaine?' I think they'd say that's a bad thing to do," Cormier said. "So, I'm not sure there's a whole lot of ground to be gained there."

An addiction specialist also saw potential for concern among advocates of so-called harm-reduction programs, such as Vancouver's safe-injection facility, that create safe conditions for drug users. The government appeared to favour "just-say-no" programs that were aimed at stopping youth or addicts from using drugs, said John Borody, chief executive of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, a provincial agency that treats about 10,000 people each year for drug, alcohol and gambling addictions.

Law enforcement officials welcomed the Tory plan.

"For the last, I would say, eight years, 10 years, we've had mixed messages here, with the report on the legalization of marijuana, with the bill on decriminalization of marijuana," said Tony Cannavino, president of the Canadian Police Association, an advocacy organization that represents about 55,000 police personnel across Canada. "Well, what happened? It (normalized) the use of marijuana. A lot of people in Canada think that it's legal to smoke marijuana and (think) it's not worse than tobacco. Well, tobacco is very harmful for your health. Imagine marijuana.

"We're getting on a track where we're going to be targeting drug dealers but we're going to help people struggling with a drug addiction," Cannavino said. "Police officers are happy to see that there's prevention, there's treatment and there's also education for kids." The father of a young man murdered in a drug-related crime, who has set up a foundation that supports youth drug awareness and education, also applauded the government's emphasis on both prevention of drug use and law enforcement.

"What makes us excited about today is that two-thirds of this funding is based on exactly what we stand for and one-third is based on putting (people) away very strongly for bringing the drugs into the public," said Floyd Wiebe, director of the Winnipeg-based T.J.'s Gift Foundation, named for his son.

"I've never heard of anything this vast or this comprehensive," added Wiebe, who was among a group that met with Harper before his announcement. "I love the two-step approach, two step meaning education and enforcement. ...You can come down with all kinds of laws to put drug dealers away, that's not going to solve your issue."


joe.paraskevas@freepress.mb.ca

Floyd Wiebe - TJ's Gift Foundation - www.tjsgift.com

Prime Minister pledges crackdown on drug criminals, compassion for their victims

From the Prime Minister's Office website:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, joined by Minister of Health, Tony Clement and Minister of Public Safety, Stockwell Day, today unveiled Canada’s new National Anti-Drug Strategy. The National Anti-Drug Strategy will provide $63.8 million over two years to prevent illegal drug use in young people, treat people who have drug addictions and fight illegal drug crime.

“Our two-track approach will be tough on drug crime and compassionate for victims,” said the Prime Minister. “We’re simply not going to throw in the towel when the health and safety of our communities is at risk.”

The new strategy, which builds on and refocuses current programs, includes a focused public awareness campaign aimed at educating youth on the negative effects of illicit drug use. Studies have shown that a growing number of Canadian youth are becoming involved with drugs at younger and younger ages. Combating their exposure to highly addictive drugs is increasingly a challenge for many communities.

“Tackling the problem of drug use is going to take all of us,” said the Prime Minister. “Breaking Canada’s drug habit will require a huge effort. But as of today our country is on the road to recovery.”

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.

Floyd Wiebe - TJ's Gift Foundation - www.tjsgift.com

Meeting with Stephen Harper

Karen and I have been invited to attend a round table discussion on Thursday, Oct. 4th in Winnipeg. I am very honoured to be asked to participate in this event. There is supposed to be a major anti drug announcement made, and I will discuss the details as they become public.

The Winnipeg Free Press

Floyd Wiebe - TJ's Gift Foundation - www.tjsgift.com