Kootenay Columbia MP demands immediate action on opioid crisis
By Nelson Daily Staff
Kootenay Columbia MP Wayne Stetski is urging the Trudeau government to find more funds to combat the opioid crisis crisis in Canada.
Stetski made the statement in a media release after the NDP called on the Liberal government for a federal declaration of a national public health emergency due opioid crisis crisis.
In the release, New Democrats urged Trudeau’s government to commit significant new dollars and resources to combat what is inarguably a deepening, serious crisis that is affecting every region of the country.
“Across Canada, too many families are tragically losing parents, siblings and children to the opioid crisis,” Stetski explained.
“From downtown neighbourhoods to our most remote areas, few communities have been untouched by these highly addictive and dangerous drugs.”
Research released by the Angus Reid Institute shows that one in eight Canadians – nearly 3.5 million people – have close friends or family members who have become dependent on opioids in the last five years. However, fewer than one in four Canadians believe that the federal government has ‘responded appropriately’ to this issue. Canada’s New Democrats agree.
“The Liberals claim to be doing everything in their power to address the opioid crisis, and yet, that’s clearly not true,” added Stetski. “New Democrats have been calling for the declaration of a national public health emergency for over two years. It’s time for the Liberal government to act.”
Opioid stats from the BC Coroners offices in BC during the first half of 2018 saw 742 deaths from overdoses of illicit drugs in B.C.
In 2017 there were 1,451 overdose deaths.
