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The Liberals can’t ignore the opioid crisis in Northern Ontario any longer: NDP

Northern Ontario has been one of the hardest hit parts of the country by the opioid crisis. That’s why local NDP MPs Charlie Angus (Timmins- James Bay) and Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manatoulin – Kapukasing) are backing the party’s first initiative in the new parliamentary session – a private member’s bill that would help hundreds of families dealing with loved ones who use or are addicted to drugs. If passed, among other things the NDP’s bill would decriminalize drug possession for personal use and expand access to crucial harm reduction, treatment and recovery services.

“Practically everyone living in Northern Ontario has been touched by the opioid crisis in some way. It is unthinkable that the Liberal government would leave people to suffer for so long,” said Angus. “We clearly need a new approach to tackling this crisis. It’s time the Liberals listened to the experts and took a health-based approach to save lives.”

Last year, the cities of Vancouver and Toronto and the province of BC applied to the federal government for the decriminalization of drugs for personal use, a step that was recommended by the Liberal government’s own Expert Task Force on substance use and supported by law enforcement organizations including the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs.

“It is time we stopped treating people who are addicted to drugs as criminals, and got them the help they need,” said Hughes. “How many more people in our region or across Canada have to die before the Liberals listen to the experts and change their approach. Our bill will save lives.”

In 2020 alone, the opioid crisis claimed 4,395 lives in Canada, which is equivalent to 12 deaths a day. The Liberal government cannot stand by and watch while our loved ones die.  New Democrats will continue to work alongside advocates to ensure that no more lives are needlessly lost.

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