According to advocates who came to the Legislature today seeking government action, far too many people in the province who are looking for help with their addictions cannot get it because services are lacking and the wait times for treatment are long.
“We need more than just lip service from the Sask. Party when it comes to providing people the supports they need. We need concrete actions,” said NDP Mental Health and Addictions Critic Danielle Chartier. “Addictions can devastate families, but it’s even worse when those who suffer from them can’t get access to the supports that will help them beat their disease.”
Chartier, along with mental health and addictions advocates such as Dr. Wendy Gore-Hickman, a retired anesthesiologist who is in long-term recovery from a substance misuse disorder, have been calling for the Sask. Party to raise the percentage of health dollars that are devoted to mental health and addictions. Currently, only five per cent of Saskatchewan’s health budget goes to mental health and addictions, but the Canadian average is seven per cent and rising.
“I know of people who have died waiting for a bed. That’s not a reality that we should just come to accept as normal,” said Gore-Hickman. “The solutions and remedies are there, but when people don’t have proper access to them, we won’t get the positive outcomes.”
“Why are we letting Saskatchewan people slip through the cracks because of the lack of mental health and addiction support? At a time when the crystal meth and opioid crisis is robbing families of their loved ones throughout the province, these families are looking to the government to take bold action that recognizes the seriousness of the crisis,” Chartier said.
Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.