Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole introduces plan to address opioid crisis

August 23, 2021

August 22, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

New Westminster, BC - Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, introduced his plan to address the opioid crisis as a national emergency and help Canadians struggling with addiction.

 

Every day, 17 Canadians die from opioid-related deaths. Since the onset of COVID-19, opioid-related deaths have almost doubled.

 

“Families across this country are mourning lost children, lost parents, lost partners,” said Erin O’Toole. “As Prime Minister, I will treat the opioid epidemic as the urgent health crisis that it is.”

 

To help those struggling with addiction and save lives, Canada’s Recovery Plan will: 

  • Invest $325 million over the next three year to create 1,000 residential drug treatment beds and build 50 recovery community centres across the country.
  • Enhance the delivery of culturally appropriate addiction treatment and prevention services in First Nations communities with high needs.
  • Provide $1 billion over five years to boost funding for Indigenous mental health and drug treatment programs.
  • Partner with the provinces to ensure that Naloxone kits are available for free across Canada. 
  • Reorient the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy towards ensuring that every person struggling with addiction has the opportunity to recover.

 

“As a country, we must recognize that mental health is health,” O’Toole concluded. “Only Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to make historic investments in mental health and addiction.” 

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For more information:

Conservative Party of Canada

[email protected]