Alberta UCP leader promises more beds, programs for opioid addicts
Posted March 28, 2019 3:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The leader of Alberta’s United Conservatives says that, if elected, they would open more beds and expand treatment programs to help people battling drug and opioid addictions.
Jason Kenney says a UCP government would not approve new supervised drug consumption sites without extensive consultations with affected communities.
He also says those sites would ideally be accompanied by treatment services.
“Under a UCP government patients will be at the centre of a health care system…it’s now time to put patients first”
— Josh Ritchie (@660JoshRitchie) March 28, 2019
Kenney says it’s critical to balance help for users with safe neighbourhoods free of discarded needles and to avoid an increase in drug-related crime.
The opioid plan is part of a broader package of health reforms promised by Kenney in the campaign for the April 16 election.
“We think there hasn’t been enough emphasis placed on treatment and recovery”
— Josh Ritchie (@660JoshRitchie) March 28, 2019
He is promising that he would review health spending to find $200 million in administrative savings.