The Meth Crisis in St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack and Garden Hill

The Meth Crisis in St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack and Garden Hill - asking the Minister for his view

In Estimates on Tuesday April 24, I asked the Minister of Health for his actions with regard to the meth crisis in the Island Lake area of northern Manitoba. My question and the Minister's response are below:

Mr. Gerrard: The minister met, you know, not long ago with a group of people who had walked from St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack, and Garden Hill, and I wonder if the minister has any update in terms of what he might be able to do in terms of helping people in those communities who have got a meth crisis in the community.

Mr. Goertzen: I thank the member for helping arrange that meeting. I know we didn't have a lot of time to meet because we recessed this session essentially for 10 minutes to be able to meet with the walkers. But it was certainly an emotional 10 minutes for me, as I imagine it probably was for them. And the understanding that I got from that meeting is that among other things that they were looking for more education on the community. So we had contacted the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba who had indicated they would be willing to do an information session in the community on methamphetamines, so our officials are just checking to see what the status of that is. But there was a commitment made by the Addictions Foundation to do that, so I'm sure that it's being worked out in the time frame that works for them.

I know there was a desire as well for sniffer dogs, I think, is the right term for those dogs who are trained in detecting drugs–probably not just methamphetamine, maybe not unlike you'd see at airports, and I think they wanted it at the airport in the community. That would be a question I think that would be best directed in the Estimates of Justice. We don't employ, I don't believe–and if we do, I've never met them–I don't believe we employ sniffer dogs in the department.

Comments

Dougald Lamont speaks at Meth Forum last night to present positive ideas to address the epidemic, while exposing the lack of action by the Pallister Conservatives

Last night at the Notre Dame Recreation Centre in St. Boniface, at an Election Forum on the Meth Crisis in Manitoba, Dougald Lamont spoke eloquently about the severity of the meth epidemic and described the Liberal plan to address it. The Liberal Plan will make sure that there is a single province-wide phone number for people, or friends of people, who need help dealing with meth to call (as there is in Alberta) and that there will be rapid access to a seamless series of steps - stabilization, detoxification, treatment, extended supportive housing etc so that people with meth addiction can be helped well and effectively and so that they can rebuild their lives. The Liberal meth plan will be helped by our approach to mental health (putting psychological therapies under medicare), and to poverty (providing better support). It will also be helped by our vigorous efforts to help young people understand the problems with meth in our education system and to provide alternative positive

Comparison between Manitoba and South Dakota shows dramatic impact of Physical Distancing

Manitoba implemented physical distancing measures in mid-March. South Dakota has still not made physical distancing mandatory. The result is a dramatic difference in the incidence of covid-19 viral infections between the two jurisdictions. This graph shows the number of people with Covid-19 infections from March 27 to April 14. Manitoba ( red line ) started leveling off about April 4 and has seen only a small increase in Covid-19 infections since then. South Dakota ( blue line ) has seen a dramatic increase in Covid-19 infections since April 4. Those who are skeptical of the impact of physical distancing in Manitoba should look at this graph! Data are from the Johns Hopkins daily tabulations

Pushing for safe consumption sites and safe supply to reduce overdose deaths

On Monday June 20th, Thomas Linner of the Manitoba Health Coalition, Arlene Last-Kolb Regional Director of Moms Stop the Harm and Winnipeg City Councillor Sherri Rollins were at the Manitoba Legislature to advocate for better measures to reduce deaths from drug overdoses, most particularly for safe consumption sites and for a safe supply, measures which can reduce overdose deaths.

The Gerrard Report

Search This Blog