Sask. Party Mental Health & Addictions Minister Lori Carr repeatedly lied in the Legislature, claiming her ministry did not track wait times for those seeking treatment. A CBC freedom of information request released this week proved she was lying. The data published was accurate up to September and showed that people are waiting up to 6 weeks for in-patient addiction treatment.
“People trying to stay alive don’t have that much time,” said Betty Nippi-Albright, Shadow Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Rather than acknowledging this failure so we can have an honest conversation about how to address the drug addiction crisis, the Minister is trying to cover up the data.
“Clearly, she is unfit for the job. Today, I am calling on Premier Scott Moe to step up and publish data in real-time on wait times for addiction treatment. Once we have transparency, we can take the necessary steps to save lives.”
The call comes as a new drug alert was issued late Thursday for Regina, where emergency responders have reported 47 overdoses and three deaths in less than a week. The alert warned that Naloxone would not work to counter the effects of some of the deadly substances flooding onto Regina streets.
Nippi-Albright noted that legislation is expected today on addictions treatment. This law was described in the government’s Throne Speech as legislation that will apply to people “whose addiction is creating a threat to themselves and others” and require them “to enter an addiction treatment program.”
“This should be done as a last resort only — but let’s be serious, there are no spaces for treatment,” Nippi-Albright said. “Where does the Minister plan on putting all these people, when we don’t have nearly enough spaces for voluntary treatment?”
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