The Opioid Crisis in North Saskatchewan: Band Lawsuits and Government Response
Strong waves of concern are being felt across the nation as the opioid crisis continues to intensify in its devastating impact. The latest news from North Saskatchewan brings to light the real, impactful human tragedy behind the opioid crisis. Two First Nations bands have raised a class-action lawsuit against the Government of Canada and the province of Saskatchewan, claiming both have failed to adequately address the opioid crisis that is rampaging through their communities.
Understanding the Dimensions of the Crisis
The opioid crisis in Canada isn’t just an abstract statistics or numbers in a news report. It is a very real, very human tragedy that affects people from all walks of life. It doesn’t stop at overdoses and addictions; it affects mental health, exacerbates homelessness, and drives crime rates higher.
The numbers are chilling:
- The rate of opioid-related deaths in Canada has been steadily escalating, with over 14,700 fatalities occurring between January 2016 and September 2019.
- In Saskatchewan specifically, at least 119 deaths in 2020 were linked to opioids, an upward trend compared to the previous years.
Victims are not just numbers and statistics, but people with families, friends, and loved ones who have been forever scarred by this crisis.
Lawsuit as a Response to the Opioid Crisis
The two First Nations bands have taken a commendable lead role in challenging the government to more effectively address the opioid crisis. Their class-action lawsuit accuses the Federal and Provincial Governments of negligence in not acting sufficiently to stem the opioid crisis.
The opioid crisis has left no stone unturned, hitting hard at these communities causing spikes in crime, an increase in HIV rates, and overall community destabilization. By challenging the government legally, it is hoped that more resources and attention will be directed towards this desperate situation.
Combating the Opioid Crisis: What Efforts are Being Taken?
Although the situation is grim, there are efforts underway to combat the opioid crisis. Some of these efforts include:
- The widespread distribution of Naloxone, a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose.
- The Prairie Harm Reduction’s Safe Consumption Site Program, the only one of its kind in Saskatchewan.
- The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Opioid Assisted Recovery Services, providing access to methadone and Suboxone treatment programs.
The problem is that despite these efforts, they are clearly not sufficient to meet the growing need. This is the principal contention of the lawsuit.
Conclusion
The opioid crisis in Canada is not going to disappear overnight. It is a systemic problem that requires collective action from all stakeholder parties. The move taken by the North Saskatchewan bands can be a significant starting point for achieving meaningful change in how we handle the opioid crisis. This class action lawsuit stands to go down as a landmark case, one that might trigger the implementation of robust, comprehensive programs capable of changing the current trajectory of the opioid crisis.
Let’s hope this is the wake-up call needed to catalyze a comprehensive response to the crisis. To prevent more loss and suffering, innovative solutions and dedicated action are urgently required. Government has a crucial role to play here. We need a strategy that is going to address all aspects of this crisis – healthcare, mental health, homelessness, crime, addictions, and community support. Piecemeal measures will not do. A class-action lawsuit is not the solution but it is a positive step towards making the government accountable, ensuring they don’t turn a blind eye to the suffering of their citizens.
