Youth drug strategy overdue – Winnipeg Free Press

Notice

It has long been known that when people struggling with addiction cannot access treatment quickly, their chances of recovery decrease significantly.

When people addicted to drugs or alcohol are ready to seek help but can’t find it, don’t know where to turn, or are told they have to wait weeks or months to get treatment, it is less likely that they will get the help they need.

So when a new report reveals that young Manitobans struggling with addiction and mental health issues often don’t know where to get treatment or can’t access it in a timely manner, it should be a wake-up call for the provincial government.

The Manitoba Child and Youth Advocate (MACY) released a report last week showing that the majority of youth surveyed were unaware of the drug treatment available to them. Many of those who knew where to get help complained that long waiting lists discouraged them from seeking treatment.

Poor access to treatment is even worse in rural and northern communities, the report said.

“Our findings did not surprise us because we know we have had systemic problems with substance abuse and mental health among youth for a long time,” said provincial advocate Sherry Gott.

MACY has been asking the provincial government for months for a strategy to combat addiction among young people. The agency’s own data shows the percentage of cases involving addictions increased from 3% in 2018-19 to 22% in 2022-23. This is a dramatic increase that should ring alarm bells within the provincial government.

Gott said the province is working on a strategy to address addictions among adults, but not specifically youth. Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith said a youth-focused strategy was coming, but no timetable had been set.

There should be some. This should be a high priority for the province, given everything we know about the root causes of crime and other social and economic challenges in Manitoba communities.