The plan is receiving widespread opposition from doctors, mayors and others across the province. (ID 76686046 © Ronstik | Dreamstime.com)

By Derek Cornet

addictions

Opposition grows against plan to provide at-home detox in Northwest

Jan 20, 2025 | 4:56 PM

Opposition continues to grow against the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) plan to contract private company Medavie Health Services West to provide at-home detox services in Northwest Saskatchewan.

The plan was first reported by larongeNOW one week ago in an article detailing opposition from Île-à-la-Crosse Mayor Buckley Belanger and Dr. Sierra de Ciutiis. Since then, the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) and Saskatchewan NDP have also spoken out against it.

“We believe that the SHA and the Saskatchewan Government need to allocate appropriate funding to address the health care and addictions needs of Saskatchewan residents in the North without shifting health care provisions to private, for-profit enterprises,” said HSAS President Karen Schmid in a media release issued Monday.

“There is no one better to provide addiction detox services in the North than the health care professionals who live and work there already, people who understand and have made connections with the community. Beyond that, addictions treatment should be provided by a team of professionals that includes EMS but also might include addictions counsellors, mental health professionals and social workers, all of which work as a team to provide comprehensive services delivered through the public health care system.”

The release notes there are existing emergency medical services in the affected communities (such as Île-à-la-Crosse, Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, and La Loche) that, with the proper resources, support and funding, could provide mobile detox services, along with community paramedicine.

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The HSAS, which is a union of health care professionals representing more than 4,300 members in Saskatchewan, would like to work with the SHA and with the Saskatchewan Government to arrive at solutions that work best for the northerners.

In addition, Athabasca NDP MLA Leroy Laliberte stated there’s no question there needs to be more investment in supports for people in the Northwest, but it makes no sense to have an outside company delivering care to northern people. He mentioned he doesn’t accept the concept of virtual beds, which has been offered by the Sask. Party multiple times as evidence of their support for those in need.

He added what’s needed are real beds and a program that is built to help people. That includes partnering with local communities to develop plans to expand addictions treatment.

“I am supportive of northern leadership, who understand the challenges and the solutions to what is being faced locally,” Belanger is quoted as saying.

“There are many northerners who have brought forward wonderful initiatives of how to address addictions and mental health in our communities that have not been supported by the Sask. Party.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com