SASKATCHEWAN NDP ANNOUNCES 5-POINT PLAN TO FIX PROVINCIAL ADDICTION CRISIS AND SAVE LIVES

Saskatoon – The Saskatchewan NDP has unveiled a new five-point plan to address the province’s addictions crisis.

Eighteen years of the Sask. Party has left Saskatchewan in an addictions crisis. Drug toxicity deaths have more than doubled since Scott Moe became premier. Nearly one person in Saskatchewan has died every day from drug overdose or drug poisoning in 2025.

“These numbers only tell part of the story. Behind them are people’s mothers, sons, daughters, and grandparents who are dying. How much longer do we need to wait for this government to do something?” said Betty Nippi-Albright, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions. “This Sask. Party government has the resources to solve this, but they are choosing not to. It shows just how out of touch this government is.”

“Addictions are health issues, not a moral failing. We need a response from the government that reflects compassion, evidence, and urgency.”

Nippi-Albright called on the government to take action on addictions in the five following areas:

Expand access to voluntary in-patient treatment by increasing funding for harm reduction and in-patient treatment beds, both on and off reserve.
Increase in-patient treatment detox services with more stabilization units and ensure seamless transitions from detox to long-term in-patient treatment care.
Support sober living by expanding and funding sober living homes that provide wraparound services in a safe, supportive environment.
Build a strategic workforce plan to recruit, train, and retain addiction and mental health professionals with incentives for service providers to work in underserved and remote communities.
Ensure involuntary treatment is reserved for the small minority of individuals whose addictions pose a serious threat to themselves or the public, and only as a last resort.

“Recovery is a journey that doesn't end when treatment does,” says Nippi-Albright.

“Voluntary treatment remains the most effective and appropriate path for the vast majority of people struggling with substance use,” says Nippi-Albright.

“For the small minority of people who are a real threat to themselves or others, involuntary options should be considered – but only as a last resort and only with appropriate safeguards in place.”

“The mental health and addictions crisis in our province is destroying lives, and it’s driving many of the public safety issues people across Saskatchewan are deeply concerned about,” said Nicole Sarauer, Justice, Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Shadow Minister. “We need to see real action to address these addictions challenges so we can make sure every person in Saskatchewan feels safe in their community.”

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