NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction critic Gord Johns made the following statement:
"This week is National Addiction Awareness Week, which is an important time for us to all reflect on those who've lost their lives to toxic drug overdoses, and who are struggling with substance use disorder.
With Canada facing a toxic substance crisis that's costs more than 30,000 lives since 2016, it's ever been more critical for the government to make necessary changes to national policy, so that mental health and substance use disorders are a part of Canada's universal health care.
The government need to deliver a coordinated, integrated and compassionate system that meets people where they at, and when they need help.
This week and every week, we're committed to fighting for the inclusion of no-wait, no-cost addiction treatment services as an essential component of Canada's universal healthcare system. New Democrats believe that you should be able to great treatment when you need it, without having to worry about the out-of-pocket costs, and that's what we're fighting for.