Lakelands Public Health receives federal funding to expand youth substance use prevention
- Dec 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Lakelands Public Health is one of nine organizations across Canada receiving funding from the federal government to help prevent substance use by youth in the Kawarthas.
December 1, 2025
Peterborough Examiner | by, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter KawarthaNOW
Lakelands Public Health is one of nine organizations across Canada receiving funding from the federal government to help prevent substance use by youth in the Kawarthas.
Last Tuesday (November 25), the Public Health Agency of Canada announced it is investing an additional $6 million in community-based projects across Canada through the Youth Substance Use Prevention Program (YSUPP) in response to the illegal toxic drug supply and overdose crisis.
“The overdose crisis continues to have devastating impacts in communities across the country,” Federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel said. “At the same time, the mental health challenges facing young Canadians are more complex. Prevention is essential to support our youth and by working together, we can help ensure that all young people in Canada grow up healthy, supported and free from the harms of substance use.”
Article Highlights:
In July 2024, as part of an initial $6 million investment by the federal government through YSUPP, Peterborough Public Health received $125,000 in federal funding over 18 months for the PYSUP initiative, intended to prevent youth substance use and strengthen community resilience. The funding was used to establish a steering committee of youth-serving sectors and to mobilize community members to work upstream to influence risk and protective factors associated with substance use.
With the additional federal funding, the PYSUP initiative will launch Planet Youth school-based surveys to identify local risk and protective factors.
Findings from the surveys will guide the creation of “Community Action Teams” and inform targeted, evidence-based interventions tailored to regional needs. A second survey in 2027 will track progress and refine strategies.
“Peterborough has brought together an exceptional network of community partners dedicated to strengthening the social environment for youth. Through this initiative, which will benefit our entire Lakelands Public Health region, we aim to help youth feel a deeper sense of belonging and connection to their community and the natural environment around them — empowering them to make healthier choices and reducing the risks associated with substance use.” - Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health
To support the continued implementation of the IPM, the Public Health Agency of Canada has funded Renison University College at the University of Waterloo to lead a knowledge development and exchange hub for youth substance use prevention. The hub will lead a national community of practice, support knowledge sharing, promote best practices among funded projects, and evaluate the Canadian experience and adaptation of the IPM.
According to a media release from Public Health Agency of Canada, YSUPP is already showing “real progress.”
“Protective factors are getting stronger, communities are more involved, and young people have a stronger voice in the decisions that affect them. This work is building resilience, belonging, and hope for youth and families, and it’s a strong step forward for prevention in Canada.”
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