CARLA BECK’S TEAM CALLS ON MOE GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER URGENT MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION SUPPORT AS DRUG & HOMELESSNESS CRISIS DEEPENS IN YORKTON

Local Shelter Overwhelmed As Housing And Treatment Support From Sask. Party Falls Well Short
YORKTON – Carla Beck’s team is demanding the Moe government provide the mental health, addictions and housing supports Yorkton needs as the city’s growing drug and homelessness crisis pushes local services to the brink.

Yorkton’s 20-bed shelter, Bruno’s Place, says demand is surging as addiction treatment, mental health care, transitional housing and affordable housing remain out of reach for many.

“We have parole officers calling last minute looking for shelter spaces because transitional housing does not exist in our community,” said Angela Chernoff, Co-ordinator of Bruno’s Place. “We’re seeing clients with brain injuries from drug use, more people struggling with mental health issues and more persons displaced by rising rents. There’s nowhere else for them to go.”

Chernoff says Yorkton lacks psychiatric beds, has no drug treatment facilities and no transitional housing despite rapidly growing need.

“Yorkton is being overwhelmed by a drug and mental health crisis that has outpaced the government’s response,” said Betty Nippi-Albright, Shadow Minister for Mental Health & Addictions.

“People in Yorkton are asking for help but, after 20 years of Sask. Party neglect, there still aren’t enough treatment spaces, not enough mental health supports and nowhere near enough housing.”

Jacqueline Roy, Shadow Minister for Women’s Health, added: “For two decades this government has failed to invest in frontline services and has instead downloaded responsibility onto municipalities and community organizations.”

Nippi-Albright intends to introduce a series of amendments to Moe’s Bill 48, The Compassionate Intervention Act, after consulting broadly with stakeholders.

“Bill 48 is not a real plan – it’s smoke and mirrors that ignores the urgent need for prevention, treatment and recovery,” Nippi-Albright said.

Carla Beck's team is calling on the government to present a clear and costed emergency plan that includes:

Expanded treatment capacity
New supportive housing units
Real partnership with municipalities

“Yorkton families, frontline workers, and community organizations cannot keep carrying this crisis alone,” Roy said. “Yorkton deserves real investment, real treatment options, and a government that shows up before more lives are lost.

“It’s time for change.”

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