Lisa Vollans-Leduc and the NDP commit to fighting the opioid crisis
September 2, 2022
WHITEHORSE – The opioid crisis in the Yukon and across Canada has devastated thousands of families. This crisis deserves immediate action so more lives aren’t lost needlessly. Lisa Vollans-Leduc, the NDP candidate for the Yukon is committed to battling this public health emergency.
Across Canada, seventeen Canadians die every day from opioid-related causes. Tens of thousands of families have tragically lost parents, partners, siblings, and children to the out-of-control opioid crisis. The Yukon’s Chief Coroner recently stated that there have been 14 deaths in 2021 alone, and 47 deaths over the past six years in the territory.
“In the Yukon, territorial MLAs are working together in a minority government, guided by the principle of harm reduction and compassion, to build our first supervised consumption site. Just imagine if there was a partner at the federal level,” said Lisa. “But instead of working on solutions in a minority government with the NDP, the Trudeau Liberals saw an opportunity for more power and called a snap election.”
“Despite the obvious harm that these drugs are causing and the shocking death toll, the Trudeau Liberals have failed to effectively respond to this crisis,” said Lisa. “Yukon needs a strong federal partner to treat this crisis like the emergency it is.”
The NDP is committing to declaring a public health emergency and to working with all levels of government, health experts and community members to end the criminalization and stigma of drug addiction. Doing so will support people with addictions get the help they need without fear of arrest, while getting tough on the real criminals – those who traffic in and profit from illegal drugs.
We’ll work with the territory and health professionals to create a safe supply of medically regulated alternatives to toxic street drugs, support overdose prevention sites and expand access to treatment on demand for people struggling with addiction. We will also launch an investigation into the role drug companies may have played in fueling the opioid crisis, and seek meaningful financial compensation from them for the public costs of this crisis.
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