The NDP opposition is calling on the UCP government to do more when it comes to preventing overdose deaths among First Nations People.
Lori Sigurdson, the NDP’s Mental Health and Addictions Critic, says there needs to be work done with first nations to come up with a plan that would address overdoses in small communities and reserves.
“Certainly there’s different kinds of systems that can be used. Like there’s a phone system where people can check-in if they’re going to be using, and if there going to be using and if they don’t call back or aren’t connected within a few minutes, then they know that something might have gone wrong so some help can be sent to them.”
A report last week showed that the rate of overdose-related deaths among First Nations people was more than seven times higher than the broader population in the first half of 2020.
Sigurdson says there needs to be more accessibility for services that can help people with addictions.
“The supervised consumption service for example isn’t just about health professionals sitting with you to make sure you’re OK when you take a substance, it’s about developing relationships with you, building some trust, perhaps you can help them get some income support, affordable housing, maybe get other medical supports that you may be needing.”
Sigurdson was this week’s guest from the NDP on the Trending 55 Hot Seat, you can hear the full interview below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Hot Seat
