Following a tragic increase in overdoses in Saskatoon and Regina, Premier Scott Moe has detailed steps to address the crisis, but the opposition remains skeptical.
Rising Overdose Numbers
April saw 415 reported overdose events in Regina and 680 in Saskatoon, prompting Premier Scott Moe to propose measures to curb these staggering figures. The numbers, reported by the Saskatoon Fire Department and Regina Police Service, are likely higher, indicating a need for urgent action.
Moe's Recovery Bed Target
During a European trade mission, Moe emphasized the need to expand recovery opportunities. He stated, "We need to continue building out our capacity of recovery opportunities and then provide every access point into those recovery opportunities." His recovery bed target has increased from 150 to 500, with expectations to achieve this within the current fiscal year or shortly after.
Recent reports indicate that 355 of the 500 targeted addictions treatment spaces—ranging from hospitals to detox centres to supportive living facilities—are already available. This target is part of the five-year Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions.
Reevaluation Necessary
Given the April overdose numbers, Moe acknowledged the need to reassess the target. "I would suspect that we are going to have to reevaluate that target given the numbers that have been released recently," he said.
Opposition's Perspective
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions Leroy Laliberte agrees that 500 beds are insufficient. "When we're getting 1,000 overdoses just in Regina and Saskatoon alone, that's just not going to accommodate," he remarked.
However, the agreement ends there. Moe's proposal to increase law enforcement officers to remove drugs from communities is met with skepticism. Laliberte argues the focus should be on healthcare workers.
Healthcare Worker Shortage
"We don't have enough workers to be able to tackle this already," said Laliberte, noting that current workers are overrun and overworked. The situation was worsened by the recent closure of Saskatoon's Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR), a program that provided essential services and aftercare.
Laliberte criticized the government's decision: "If this was a government willing to work with people, they wouldn't cut programs like Prairie Harm Reduction. Those individuals worked day in and day out to ensure people got the services they needed. To cut a program like that was disheartening."
Aftercare Model Needed
Laliberte stressed that individuals with addictions need access points for both care and aftercare, which PHR provided. "You give them treatment, but after they leave those facilities, they need an aftercare model," he explained.
In response, Moe cited a complex needs facility in Saskatoon where over 90% of individuals arrested for 24 hours self-refer to addiction services upon release.
