PAYING ATTENTION TO COST OF DRUG ADDICTION

I have read with interest and, then, with some incredulity, about the
province's new high-priority health plan.

The "population health-promotion strategy" that was unveiled recently
is intended "to get Saskatchewan people on the road to healthier living".

Supposedly, the plan focuses on a small number of key areas, including
trying to improve people's mental well-being and helping them cut down
on drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

A big part of the strategy is also aimed at helping overweight people
slim down, get fit and improve their eating habits.

I am sure these are all commendable goals, but the $350,000, plus
another $584,000 (which is only part of the spending plan and which,
we are told, will mean a healthier population that will put less of a
financial drain on the system) seems to be somewhat
misdirected.

My question to the provincial minister of health, the premier and the
planners in the health department is this: why have these concepts
have not been put into effect in the area of treatment of addictions?

It has long been known that untreated addictions put a strain that is
difficult to estimate on the health-care system . . . not only for the
addicted person, but also for his or her family, their workplace and
even the social services and justice system.

Does it not seem strange that such an easy answer (treatment for those
addicted to drugs or alcohol that is available and timely) has never
been on the table -- or so it seems -- with our provincial health
department in recent years?

Indeed, we have gone from one of the foremost provinces in the
treatment of addictions to one that has fallen behind and has
pitifully underfunded this area.

Repeated requests for funding that allows for shortened waiting lists
to get into treatment facilities are always met with the same answer:
talk to your health board.

And it, in turn, gives the same answer: we can't provide any more
funding because we are already suffering from a shortfall of money
from the department of health.

Let's try a strategy that will show positive results that have been
proven over and over again: treat those with addictions and reap the
benefit of not only a healthier community, but a happier family, lower
health-care costs and lower social service and justice costs!

Shirley Haid

Christopher Lake