A new diversion and educational justice program on P.E.I. is designed to give young Islanders an opportunity to understand the health, legal and social risks of cannabis use and possession.

Dubbed Rethink, the program was developed in partnership between the departments of Justice and Public Safety and Health and Wellness. Organizers aim to provide strategies to discourage young people from consuming cannabis while underage and foster a comprehensive “understanding of the risks related to cannabis use and possession so they can make healthy choices,” per a release from the Justice Department.

Reps from both departments say that the program will help the province tackle addiction and other health concerns, although whether cannabis is addictive or not is a controversial and often contentious topic.

“Working together with community is essential to helping young Islanders find positive ways to address mental health and addictions challenges,” said provincial Health and Wellness Minister James Aylward in a statement. “We will continue to offer evidence-based information through public education and programs like Rethink so that they can make the right choices for themselves.”

Justice and Public Safety Minister and Attorney General Bloyce Thompson concurs.

“Young people are the future of our province and we have a responsibility to do what we can to help them reach their full potential,” Thompson said in a statement. “Programs like Rethink are an excellent example of how we can effectively divert young people from the justice system and equip them with good decision-making skills and knowledge of the harms and consequences of cannabis use and possession,” he added.

The program will be available to Islanders by referral between the ages of 12 and 19, and is set to launch sometime this summer. Proponents of the program say that Rethink employs an “early intervention approach” and will bring participants together with government, community members and unspecified support networks.

Rethink organizers say they’ll provide youth with:

• educational and prevention strategies to make positive life choices;
• ongoing information on cannabis use and possession;
• options to direct them away from the justice system; and
• support with provincial cannabis-related offences.

Justice and Health Department reps did not specify whether youth and/or drug users were consulted during the development of the program.