Question Period (4 December 2023)

From Hansard (4 December 2023)

To view this section on video, click here and start play at 2:33:05 PM.

 Overdose Deaths and Treatment for Addictions

Ms. Conway: — Wow, Mr. Speaker, a quarter of a million on metro ads in Dubai. From his lips to your ears. Chump change, I guess.

Mr. Speaker, as we look back at how this government did in 2023, one grim statistic stands out. As of November of this year, overdose deaths in the province, suspected and confirmed, added up to 395. That’s already worse than it was in 2022. Sometime this week we’ll get the December numbers, Mr. Speaker, and it will be another record-setting year for overdose deaths in Saskatchewan.

How is that Minister of Mental Health and Addictions going to prevent another record number of deaths by overdose in 2024?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And first and foremost our hearts go out to the families of any individual who was lost to overdose this year or any year. No death to overdose is an acceptable death, Mr. Speaker, and that’s why our government is focused on helping individuals who are struggling with addiction.

We’ve introduced a five-year mental health and addictions action plan that is one of the most ambitious plans in the country, Mr. Speaker. That plan will see more than double the addictions treatment spaces provided across this province. It’s going to simplify the accessibility of those treatment spaces, and it will focus on a recovery-oriented system of care that will help these individuals in a holistic approach to meet them where they’re at and ensure that they live healthy lives in recovery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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