Question Period (26 March 2024)

From Hansard (26 March 2024)

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 Overdose Deaths and Treatment for Addictions

Mr. Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Four hundred and seventy-six lives were lost to overdose in 2023. That’s 1.3 lives lost to this crisis every single day last year. More than one family every day had to learn that their loved one was no longer with them, that their mother, father, sister, brother, or child’s life was lost to this overdose crisis. This affects everyone in our province, including folks living in my constituency.

Mr. Speaker, we need an evidence-based plan that will ensure that people are alive long enough to get treatment, instead of continued cuts to life-saving harm reduction supports. Mr. Speaker, when will the minister admit that he is wrong and commit to an evidence-based approach?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have said many times and will say again, every loss of life due to an overdose is a tragedy. And it is the illicit drugs that are resulting in those overdoses. And that’s why our government is sending the message to individuals that there is no safe use of an illicit drug. Providing individuals with an addiction the crack pipes and the instructions to use those crack pipes is not sending those individuals the right message, Mr. Speaker.

The message that we’re sending those individuals is that there is help available through treatment. There is hope for recovery, Mr. Speaker. And we are providing more addictions treatment beds, we’re making it easier for people to access those addictions treatment beds, and we are providing the supports that they need to overcome their addiction and live healthy lives in recovery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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