PCs seek federal funding for meth treatment in Manitoba

The Manitoba government will ask Ottawa for funding to create more treatment beds to counter the growing meth crisis, health minister Cameron Friesen said.

The province was pressedMonday on its response to the epidemic after the NDPrevealed an internal note briefing Friesen'spredecessor on what to do with a new $150 million fund the federal governmentset aside foraddressing the opioid crisis nationwide.

Asked specifically by reporters if he wantsmore treatment beds to accommodate users, Friesen replied, "yes."

"Capacity, we're looking for capacity," Friesen told reporters. "We're looking for meaningful investments that the federal government can help us with to make a difference in facility, in community."

Friesen wouldn't divulge his wishlist because his negotiations with the federal government isongoing, he said.

He addedthe province's application has not been submitted yet.

Plan delayed, NDP allege

Earlier in the day, NDP leader Wab Kinew who'slong advocated for a safe injection site accused the province of sitting on its hands, since thebriefing note was written five months ago and no funding agreement is in place.

"Peoplehave been talking to them for months, for more than a yearnow, about the need to respond to the meth crisis here in Manitoba," Kinew said. "Why can't they come up with a plan to access these resources?"

British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland havereached agreements, according to the federal government website.

In 2017, Manitoba experienced 122 apparent opioid-related deaths, 139 hospitalizations from opioidpoisoning and 1,413 people suspected of an overdose arriving at Winnipeg Regional Health Authorityfacilities,the internal document said.

The one-time Emergency Treatment Fundpromised by Ottawa is in response to theopioidcrisis and other problematic substance use, excluding alcohol, cannabis and tobacco.

Manitoba must come up with a planto secure its share of the cash, estimated around $4.6 million.

Each province and territory has five years to match the funding, after the initial $250,000 investment by Ottawa.

Walk-in clinics, more beds

Deflecting criticism of inaction from the opposition parties, the provinceargued for weeks it is responding to the crisis with afamiliar refrain: they've opened four walk-in rapid access clinics, added six more beds to Health Sciences Centre and 12 women's treatment beds at the Addictions Foundation Manitoba centre on Portage Avenue.

The government hasthus far rejected calls for a safe injection clinic like the NDP wants, or adrug stabilization unit as the provincial Liberals would like.

Friesen said Monday his government is committed to helping those mired in substance abuse.

"We're working fast because we all understand how significant and how pressing this need is."