Question Period (29 April 2024)

From Hansard (29 April 2024)

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 Overdose Deaths and Treatment for Addictions

Ms. Sarauer: — Mr. Speaker, Regina continues to be hit hard by the overdose crisis. Year after year Regina has recorded two times the amount of overdose deaths compared to Saskatoon. And now the Regina Police Service has released new statistics to show that it’s getting worse. In March alone there were 280 drug overdoses in Regina. That’s over 100 more overdoses than January and February of this year.

Mr. Speaker, this crisis is wreaking havoc in our communities, and it is leaving families without their loved ones. When will the Sask Party recognize that their choices to cut supports are causing more harm to people?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just say that the harm that these individuals are experiencing is as a direct result of the drugs that they are using, and that is why our focus is on helping individuals overcome their addiction to those drugs, Mr. Speaker. Our government’s focus is on treatment and recovery to help people overcome those addictions and live healthy lives, Mr. Speaker.

To that end, our government has introduced a plan that will make it easier for individuals to access treatment spaces. We’re more than doubling the amount of treatment spaces available, and we are focused on a recovery-oriented system of care that wraps supports around individuals and helps them find the path to recovery in a safe and healthy way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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