The Progressive Conservatives are offering an ambitious drug prevention and enforcement plan if they are re-elected.
Leader Blaine Higgs said crystal meth is on the rise in the province and even one use can cause irreparable damage.
“Please make this a priority in your homes. Please talk to your kids and grandchildren about drugs. Warn them about the ways their lives can be derailed with these drugs,” he said.
Higgs said early-stage prevention with youth will be based on a highly successful Icelandic Model which applies community-level youth programming as well as assessments on youth access to alcohol and drugs.
There will also be assessments on other influences such as child poverty.
“Our health professionals are reporting that it triggers violent episodes, paranoia, and hallucinations and in some cases, it can indeed be deadly,” he said.
Higgs said the Campbellton residential addiction rehabilitation treatment program will be expanded.
There will also continue to be investments in integrated mobile crisis response teams. Higgs said these teams offer on-site acute addiction and mental health needs assessments, crisis intervention and visits and check-ins for high-risk residents.
“Over the last three years, professionals in our detox facilities have seen up to a 35 per cent increase. That’s largely due to the fact that it’s inexpensive. Our kids can get it on the streets for as little as five dollars,” he said.
Higgs said strong drug enforcement will be key to keeping drugs from youth. He said his government will support an RCMP task force of 13 officers targeted at stopping hard drug traffickers.
The program would cost $2 million annually and is currently under development.
