Statement by Official Opposition Critic for Mental Health and Addictions Doyle Vermette

With the shocking news that Saskatchewan saw more than one overdose death per day in the month of January, the NDP Critic for Mental Health and Addictions Doyle Vermette released the following statement:

"Every overdose death in our province is a tragedy. No parent or family member should lose a loved one to addiction. We know that last year already doubled the highest year on record for overdose deaths in our province - and this year looks like the toll in lives will be even more severe.

Addiction takes a heavy toll on our communities and on families. That is why it is so frustrating that the Sask. Party government seems content to ignore this crisis instead of coming forward with a clear and comprehensive strategy to eliminate the wait times for detox and treatment. The overdose crisis has spiralled out of control on this government’s watch. The status quo is not acceptable.

Saskatchewan needs an evidence-based strategy to tack our opioid and crystal meth crisis, focusing on awareness and harm reduction. We need it now. We need real treatment options in our major centres, but also in Northern, remote and rural communities as well.

The overdose crisis is real and it is everywhere in our province. Not to act is to accept more deaths and more tragedy.”

Latest posts

SASK. PARTY HIDES FROM PUBLIC AMID WIDSPREAD RURAL EMERGENCY ROOM CLOSURES

Watrous Announces Yet Another Emergency Room Closure, More Than 30 So Far In 2025

SASKATOON - Negligent leadership from the Sask. Party has made access to healthcare in rural communities unreliable and dangerous.

SASK. PARTY SKIPS IMPORTANT FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS FRANCOPHONE ECONOMY

Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister Says Government Continues To Fail Francophone Community

REGINA – The Saskatchewan NDP is decrying a decision by the Sask. Party Government to have all its elected members skip a critical federal-provincial meeting last month that focused on developing the Francophone economy.

SASK. PARTY FAILS TO DELIVER ON URGENT CARE PROMISE IN REGINA, PATIENTS SUFFER DUE TO WIDESPREAD HEALTHCARE FAILURES

Government Promises Additional Urgent Care Centres While Failing To Deliver On The One That’s Actually Open

REGINA – The Sask. Party has again failed to deliver on a major healthcare promise, leaving patents to suffer, says the Saskatchewan NDP.

SASKATCHEWAN NDP DEMANDS CHILDCARE DEAL AS REPORT WARNS HUNDREDS OF SPACES COULD BE LOST SOON

Childcare Crisis Making Life Less Affordable, Harming Economy: Pratchler

REGINA -The Saskatchewan NDP says a recent survey of daycare operators in the province found that hundreds of childcare spaces could be lost because of the Sask. Party’s delay in signing the federal $10-a-day childcare agreement. Saskatchewan remains one of just two jurisdictions in Canada yet to finalize the deal with Ottawa.