Prime Minister Stephen Harper wants society to change its attitude to narcotics in much the same way it has to cigarettes, and make it known that drug use won't be accepted.
The Conservative Government will introduce legislation this fall proposing mandatory prison sentences for those convicted of serious drug offences.
The move is part of a new $64-million anti-drug strategy that cracks down on drug dealers and offers improved rehabilitation and treatment for users.
Speaking in Winnipeg today, Mr. Harper said it's time to take a tough approach on illicit drugs because they are contributing to rising crime rates.
But he acknowledged that the real battle was a cultural one. Mr. Harper said "certain forces" had changed culture so that drug use was no longer dissuaded, and was at time encouraged.
"The police, community groups and everybody who's trying to manage this problem understands that we have to change the culture," Mr. Harper said.
"We're talking about a long-term battle. Until we manage to change the culture, we certainly cannot promise that there will be complete success. I think that is the real battle."
The Conservative government's plan includes a crackdown on drug smuggling across the border and more resources to police for closing down marijuana grow operations.
Two-thirds of the money will go to prevention and treatment for those hooked on drugs, targeted at the country's youth.
Mr. Harper says there will be new funding for provincial and territorial governments to expand rehabilitation facilities.
"Since the 1960s, [people have]often romanticized drug use, made it cool, made it acceptable," Mr. Harper said at a press conference following the announcement.
"There is a culture that has not fought drug use, and that's what we're up against. But we have seen against tobacco a shift in values. We need to do the same thing, much more quickly and much more critically, in the area of narcotics. We have a long way to go and we recognize that."