Sask. expands intensive court program that helps people address substance use
CBC
The latest numbers from the Saskatchewan Coroners Service show it could be another grim — potentially record-setting — year for drug toxicity deaths in the province.
There were 143 suspected drug-related deaths recorded between January and April of this year. One of those has been confirmed to be a suicide, 45 were accidental and the rest are still under investigation.
The total number of accidental drug related deaths reported annually in Saskatchewan jumped dramatically in 2020 and has remained high since.
Last year, 465 people are suspected to have died because of drug use. The majority of the deaths were considered accidental and many are still under investigation.
"I think that speaks to the drugs that we're dealing with in our communities across Saskatchewan and across the nation. They are nothing short of poison. They're addictive and more addictive than they've ever been," said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe on Thursday.
Moe said his government is addressing this crisis by focusing on expanding access to addictions treatment beds as well as supporting police enforcement to try to limit the flow of drugs.
Moe was speaking in North Battleford to announce that the government is expanding its Drug Treatment Court to the city. The therapeutic court model is offered as an option for some people who are charged with crimes related to their drug use or addictions. If they choose to partake, they can get a reduced sentence in exchange for their participation in intensive programming and guilty pleas.
The goal is to help people target the root cause of their substance use, while keeping them away from drugs and the justice system.
"About one-third of the folks that go through the program actually do graduate," Moe said.
He noted that might seem like a low number, but said "in this space of recovery and drug rehabilitation — that's an incredible number."
Regina and Moose Jaw's programs, which began in 2006 and 2009, have seen 140 graduates to date.
There's strong evidence that shows programs like this are effective in helping people move forward from their substance use, said Dr. Peter Butt, a retired physician and clinical associate professor who has expertise in addictions medicine. However, he cautioned that the expansion of the program also requires the expansion of other services.
"You can't have a drug court without increasing the access to services. The current system is overloaded but doesn't have a great capacity," he said.
"It's no different than a mental health court — when we don't have psychiatrists for people to be seen, the court can say and do whatever they want, but if people can't access the services, it's not going to have an impact."
The man behind the Moose Jaw health centre that has claimed “a 100 per cent success rate in stopping the progression and in restoring function of people with ALS” says a recent CBC story about his company is evidence that he is seen as “a direct threat to the ALS drug industry.”
The Neighbour to Neighbour Centre’s trans and non-binary grocery program, which offers free food and household products to community members once a month, began with a simple question: how do we get free menstrual products to trans people without being awkward?
Bill Van Vugt is living a life that's unlike most other people his age, and one which has seen him turn a longtime hobby into championship gold.
The provincial government is taking steps toward improving Alberta's lucrative sand and gravel industry.
As medical labs across Ontario remain understaffed, one medical association is calling on the province to expand labs’ capacity for student placements by funding positions to train them.
The year wrapping up means it's getting closer to tax season, and the federal Community Volunteer Income Tax Program will once again be offering free filing services for Islanders with modest incomes.
It's not so easy to remove a politician from office between elections in Canada.
Natasha Martin-Mitchell says creating art gives her a sense of calmness that acts as a medicine during stressful times.
Gabriel Vilardi scored twice and star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves in his first game back from injury to power the Jets to a 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Saturday that snapped Winnipeg's three-game losing skid.
Alberta’s auditor general Doug Wylie says his office's budget will be $1.5 million short next fiscal year.
British Columbia has filed a civil claim against e-cigarette giant Juul Labs, alleging the company developed highly addictive nicotine products and fuelled youth nicotine addiction with “deceptive marketing practices.”
There's been positive reaction in Ottawa to news that the nation's capital could be home to Canada’s first high-speed rail line by the end of the decade.
The Alberta government has confirmed it will follow through with a longtime pledge to shutter Calgary’s only supervised drug consumption site.