Question Period (21 November 2023)

From Hansard (21 November 2023)

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 Provision of Addictions Treatment Services

Ms. Sarauer: — Mr. Speaker, the world keeps finding new and terrible ways to tell us about the failing record of that Sask Party government. A new report from Statistics Canada shows that Prince Albert had the most methamphetamine and cocaine in its wastewater per capita in Canada.

I’ll say it again: Statistics Canada has reported that P.A. has the most methamphetamine and cocaine in its wastewater per capita in the entire country. One more report to tell us what we already know. Drugs like fentanyl and cocaine and crystal meth are laying waste to Saskatchewan people and communities at a horrendous rate that is all too often the worst in Canada. And under this Sask Party government, this crisis keeps getting worse.

When is this government going to get serious about treatment and make sure that it is there where and when it is needed?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the member opposite for the question because we are taking this matter very seriously, and that’s why we have introduced a new action plan for mental health and addictions, which is one of the most ambitious plans in the country to address this problem.

We are expanding the capacity of our mental health treatment, more than 500 additional spaces to treat addictions, Mr. Speaker. We are improving the system to make it easier for individuals to access those spaces. And once in that space, we are offering a recovery-oriented system of care so that those individuals receive wraparound supports to ensure that they follow the path to recovery and live healthy lives beyond their addiction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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