Question Period (11 March 2024)

From Hansard (11 March 2024)

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 Overdose Deaths and Treatment for Addictions

Ms. Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, the coroner has released new numbers on overdose deaths — 74 lives lost due to overdose just in January and February of this year. Year after year, month after month, we keep breaking our own records. Yet this government is cutting the supports that keep people alive. Kayla DeMong, executive director of Prairie Harm’s words: “There is no hope for recovery if people are dead before they get there.”

Mr. Speaker, when will the minister come up with a plan that actually prevents overdoses and saves lives?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s important, I think, that we remember no illicit drugs are safe, Mr. Speaker. That is why our government is focused on getting people the treatment that they need so that they can overcome addictions and live healthy lives in recovery, and that is why our government introduced a plan to help individuals have easy access to addictions treatment, Mr. Speaker. We are more than doubling the number of addictions treatment spaces available in this province, and we are providing recovery-oriented systems of care so that individuals can overcome addiction and live healthy lives in recovery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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