PCs blast Liberals over handling of mental health supports, spike in drug overdose deaths

The Progressive Conservatives hammered the Newfoundland and Labrador government Monday over ongoing drug overdoses, arguing it's a health-care problem that has people slipping through the cracks to become a criminal justice problem.

PC LeaderTony Wakeham said the province has seen number of overdose deaths accelerate in recent years and asked Premier Andrew Furey if he thinks the government is doing enough to address them.

Wakeham said 51 people died last year due to overdoses, a 143 per cent increase over 2019, when 21 people died, according to an access-to-information request filed by his party.

"In September it was reported that in eight months 24 Newfoundlanderand Labradorianresidents had died due to overdose. Four months later, that number more than doubled to 51," said Wakeham.

Furey said everyone in the province has been touched in some way by mental health and addiction problems and his government was doing its best to support people.

"Mr. Speaker, this is a problem that has gripped the entire nation, starting west and moving east. And we're not immune here," said Furey during question period in the House of Assembly.

Furey said it's an "evolving crisis" and drugs have gotten stronger. He said his government is focused on education and mental health and addiction strategies.

Mobile units timeline

Noting the 2024 budget allocated $1 million for seven mobile crisis teams, Wakeham said one unit is up and running in his district, but he wanted to know whether the others would be running by the end of the year and whether staff had been recruited.

Health Minister Tom Osborne said they're being held up because the budget still isn't official.

"As soon as the budget is passed, we can get on with that work in earnest," he said.

Osborne defended the Liberal government's record, saying they were focused on increasing health-care positions, and accused Wakeham of being focused on cutting positions when he was CEO of the Labrador-Grenfell health authority.

"Mr. Speaker, that is the contrast between this side and that side," said Osborne to applause from his colleagues.

Wakeham shot back, "Speaker, I'm not even going to respond. Not even going to respond."

He then suggested the provincial government isn't acting with urgency to address the problem.

From health care to justice system

Harbour Main MHA Helen Conway-Ottenheimer said the number of files assigned to the drug investigative unit rose from 80 to 112 to 141 between 2021 and 2023, according to information obtained from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

"Does the justice minister acknowledge that the drug crisis in this province is only getting worse?" she asked.

Justice Minister John Hogan acknowledged it's getting worse and said it's being taken seriously.

"I think it is fair to say and it's obvious to say that it is getting worse," said Hogan.

Conway-Ottenheimer also said information from the RNC says charges laid by the drug enforcement unit had also risenmore than sevenfoldin two years,from 25 in 2021 to 181 in 2023.

"The drug problem in our province is spiralling out of control. When will this government treat the underlying addictions crisis as a health crisis and not leave it to our police to pick up the pieces for this government's failure to act?" she said.

Osborne said health professionals and law enforcement work togetherand get training to handle mental health issues.

"There is training and so on in place for those that are involved in responding to individuals with mental health crises or mental health issues. That will continue. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue where all individuals, all agencies, all groups are working together and must work together to ensure that we respond in the most appropriate way," he said.

Conway-Ottenheimer said there's a clear link between untreated mental health conditions and crime, but people go untreateddue to a lack of access to health care.

She asked if Hogan knew how many people are incarcerated or facing charges who have untreated mental health conditions.

Hogan said he didn't have that number but the government isworking to address facility issues, noting the budget has $15 million set aside to make additional space for services at Her Majesty's Penitentiary.

Terra Nova MHA Lloyd Parrott said a 2018 report estimated between77 per cent and 87 per cent of inmates had mental health issues, substance abuse issues or both. Six years on from that report, he said, he believes the situation is worse.

"Sadly, too many people fall through the cracks under this government's watch and instead they end up committing crimes before they have a chance to access the help they desperately need," said Parrott.

Osborne said there is "no question" that more needs to be done for people with mental health and addictions issues. He said the budget has support like the mobile crisis response units and efforts to enhance addictions centres.

He also said the six-bed mentalhealth unit at the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bayis temporarily closed due to staffing issues, but it is expected to reopen in the spring.

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