NDP MPP Jamie West continues pressure on Ford government for urgent action on opioid crisis in Sudbury

SUDBURY – MPP Jamie West (Sudbury) wrote an open letter to the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, once again demanding action on the opioid crisis in Sudbury. A single opioid overdose memorial cross was erected in downtown Sudbury in the fall of 2020. Since then, the number of “Crosses for Change” has grown to 223.

Sudbury MPP Jamie West at site of Crosses for Change.

In the face of these tragic deaths and the suffering of loved ones, Doug Ford and the Conservative government refused to help. Their only action was to vote down West’s 2019 motion to declare the opioid overdose crisis in Northern Ontario a public health emergency, and to continue with big cuts to funding for mental health and addictions.

Ministry of Health
Frost Building South
6th Floor - 7 Queen's Park Cres
Toronto, ON M7Z 1Y7
Jan. 31, 2022

Dear Associate Minister Tibollo,

As I have asked several times at Queen’s Park, “How many people have to die before Premier Doug Ford finally takes action to prevent opioid addiction and overdoses in Sudbury?”

Currently, there are 223 opioid overdose memorial crosses erected in downtown Sudbury. Each cross represents not just the life that was lost, but also the countless friends, families and loved ones who are mourning. While we cannot bring back all those who have been lost to the opioid poisoning crisis, we can honor their lives with swift and decisive action to fund supports for those who continue to struggle with addiction in our community.

In 2019, I introduced a motion calling on the Conservative government to save lives by declaring the opioid overdose crisis in Northern Ontario a public health emergency. Passing my motion would have meant taking immediate action to prevent opioid addiction and overdoses. However, your party unanimously voted against my motion. Nearly three years later, the impact of opioid addiction and overdoses in Northern Ontario continues to deteriorate.

The most recent data from Public Health Sudbury and Districts and the Community Drug Strategy show a marked increase in the number of opioid-related incidents that occurred from January-November of 2021. Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services responded to 797-suspected opioid-related incidents (a 39.8 per cent increase from the previous year). There was also an increase in emergency department visits during the same period.

Once again, I am calling for urgent action to address the opioid crisis in my community and throughout the North. I will continue to do so until the requisite support is given. Lives are at stake and people need support today, not tomorrow. Every day that the Conservative government delays essential funding and services equates to more harm to families and loved ones in my community and throughout the north.

Sincerely,

(Original signed)

Jamie West, MPP/Député Sudbury