By Canadian Press

PM critical of Alberta’s approach to drug overdose crisis

Apr 12, 2022 | 4:27 PM

EDMONTON – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the Alberta government’s response to the worsening drug overdose crisis while visiting Edmonton to promote the federal budget.

Trudeau knocked the province’s recovery-focused approach, saying it is shifting away from science and harm reduction.

Alberta recorded its deadliest year for fatal overdoses in 2021 with more than 1,700 deaths.

His comments came after a question from a reporter about the possibility of exemptions under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize simple possession of illegal drugs.

An Edmonton city council committee has directed staff to explore the issue and provide recommendations by early next year.

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Trudeau says the federal government is working with British Columbia on such a request and that Ottawa is dedicated to scientific solutions to the crisis.

A spokesman for Alberta’s associate ministry of mental health and addictions wrote on social media that Trudeau’s comments were a joke.

Eric Engler, press secretary to the associate minister, added that it is shameful that Trudeau does not recognize that people can recover from drug addiction.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2022.

The Canadian Press