SASK. PARTY REFUSES TO DECLARE THE OVERDOSE CRISIS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

For immediate release: May 9, 2025

SASKATOON – Saskatoon is facing a drug crisis, and the Sask. Party is not treating it like the emergency it is.

On Tuesday, Sask. NDP Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions Betty Nippi-Albright presented a motion in committee calling on the government to declare the overdose crisis a public health emergency, and the Sask. Party immediately voted down the motion.

“People are dying of drug overdose, and the Sask. Party government is completely missing in action. They aren’t treating this crisis like a crisis,” said Nippi-Albright.

“They are burying their heads in the sand while library workers and bus drivers step up and are forced to do the government's job.”

Saskatoon’s Fire Department reports responding to 935 overdose calls so far this year, more than eight calls per day.

There remains no indication that the government's so-called emergency strategy to deal with these overdoses has had any impact.

“Far too many young people are losing their lives to drugs,” said Nippi-Albright. “Parents and communities are grieving, and everyone on the frontlines I’m hearing from says that the issue keeps getting worse.”

The Saskatchewan NDP is calling on Scott Moe and the Sask. Party to make a plan that can help save lives and prevent overdoses – starting with declaring a public health emergency.

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