Thirty programs and services aimed at reducing alcohol and drug abuse in Yukon communities was announced today by the territorial government.

However, the cost associated with the programs and where the funding will be coming from won't be announced until after the 2006/07 budget is released early next year.

'This is a situation where we're not putting a dollar value to it, because it's much more complex, much broader, much more challenging than that,' said Premier Dennis Fentie.

'It's each step of the way, where we can improve our ability to deal with substance abuse in this territory. What is required is how we intend to go forward. This is a living, breathing initiative that will ever evolve in the territory.'

The draft discussion paper comes following the Yukon Substance Abuse Summit held in June.

The document focuses on developing a plan that will follow strategic directions aimed at harm reduction, prevention and education, treatment and enforcement.

The suggested programs and services include, the community harm reduction fund, helping children with FASD in schools, alcohol and drug education in schools, expanded outreach services, getting tougher on drug dealers and safer communities legislation.

'I think it is vital to recognize that what we do in this area will be ever evolving and ongoing,' said Fentie. 'What is important today is to understand that the government has built upon what it already does by creating this framework.'

Justice Minister John Edzerza said involvement from everyone in the territory is needed to truly deal with alcohol and substance abuse problems in the Yukon.

The government may be able to create legislation that addresses the problems, but it takes average citizens engaging with the challenges and tackling issues such as drug dealers in their communities head on, to truly find solutions, he said.

'Whether it is this government or any government, you're always going to have to try the best you can to improve this situation,' he said. 'Working together, we can do better.'

The problems aren't just in Whitehorse, said Edzerza, adding that different departments, and the community, including NGOs, stakeholders, first nations, and the RCMP need to continue to work together.

'We have to start respecting opinions of the general public.'

The initiatives will be rolled out over a three to five year period, with some of the programs and services already being implemented.

Fentie told the press conference that many of the new services will be introduced following the release of the budget in 2006.

Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell told the Star that although it is positive to see the framework being provided, it is unfortunate the Yukon Party government has not clearly established the proper funding with their announcement and that it is not slated to be available until next year.

He added the Yukon Party has placed too much concentration on the economic development, seemingly working under the notion that 'if everyone has a job, it will solve social problems.'

'I don't subscribe to that idea,' said Mitchell, who added that the focus should be on getting people healthy if the well-being of communities are going to be improved.

Ken Bolton, spokesman for the NDP caucus said the document appears to be promising on its surface, but there are still questions about how the proposed programs and services will be structured.

'A lot of these things need to be dealt with immediately,' he said regarding the proposed timeline for implementation.

The draft document appears to be a little thin on the treatment side of programs, he said, and there still needs to be more training in the area of substance abuse and community outreach.

A key concern is that the draft document appears to be a 'top down' framework, he said.

'It's a government plan, not a Yukon plan.'

Bolton added there needs to be clear involvement from the community with suggestions coming from all areas, including youth and former drug users.

'There are things that might be promising, but we need to see how the meat is put on,' he said.