Meth related deaths continue to rise, NDP renews call for action

According to the most recent report from the provincial coroner’s office, the number of methamphetamine related deaths in the province climbed from one in 2013 to 43 in 2018.

Rancourt, who has a background in social services, was asked by paNOW if she could remember the problem being as bad when she was working directly in the field.

“I haven’t ever seen it at this level of concern in the community and I think most health care professionals would say that,” she said. “And the concern is it’s just going to get worse because there is nothing in place to make sure it gets better.”

(Submitted photo/ Office of the Provincial Coroner)

Based on arrest reports this year, the Prince Albert Police Service Police Chief appears to be dealing with methamphetamine on a daily basis, and have said in the past the drug is linked to other crimes in the community including break-and-enters. Police Chief Jon Bergen acknowledged police have had a couple major methamphetamine seizures this year.

“That’s concerning because obviously when there’s pounds of it coming through the community, that makes it readily available and meth is an extreme problem for every community that has to experience it,” he said.

Moving forward, Bergen said the police service will continue to focus on the drug from all areas of the organization, noting the front line patrol offices, the integrated street enforcement team and the crime reduction team have already made great strides.

“So really it’s something the whole organization is responding to, but also provincially there’s a response and a gang violence reduction strategy we are looking forward to seeing and working with the province on,” he said.

The Prince Albert Police and RCMP joint ISET Team have seized $100,000 worth of methamphetamine after searching a vehicle Oct. 24, 2019. (Submitted photo/ Prince Albert Police Service)

On Tuesday, the provincial government announced plans to invest $4.5 million over the next four years into two community-based organizations as part of its Gang-Violence Reduction Strategy. STR8 Up and Regina Treaty Status Indian Services Inc. (RT/SIS) will deliver the Community Intervention Model (CIM) in Saskatchewan.

In a statement, STR8 UP founders Father Andre Poilièvre and Stan Tu’Inukuafe said the funding allows STR8 UP and its recovering members to work intensively with identified participants and will be delivered with the support of vital community organizations, notably: West Flat Citizens Group Inc. and Prince Albert Outreach Program Inc. in northern Saskatchewan.

On May 18, 2018, Ryan Kereluk, 34, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Prince Albert Police Service and was later pronounced deceased in hospital. The cause of death was determined to be methamphetamine toxicity.

Kereluk’s death was the focus of a week long public inquest last week at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. Outside the courthouse, Kereluk’s mother, Tina Vermette, had told the jury her son never chose to be a drug user, but was consumed by his addiction following a serious neck injury in 2008. She explained how she had tried to help her son, but could not force him to get treatment.

“I use to tell him I wish you’d become incarcerated so you can have some help, because that’s what you need,” she said. “And the sad thing is it wasn’t.”

Later on the steps of the courthouse, Vermette told paNOW she thought the health care system had become too lenient with the prescription of its pain killers.

“We don’t need these opioids and stuff like that, and as soon as the wrong person knows you are using something like that, they’ll show you how to make it work faster,” she said.

At the end of the inquest, the six person jury made a total of 18 recommendations, including better training for guards who are dealing on a daily basis with prisoners who are intoxicated.

–

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Meth related deaths continue to rise, NDP renews call for action

What's Trending