New Brunswick for Harm Reduction
New Brunswick for Harm Reduction
The Issue
New Brunswick for Harm Reduction: Prioritizing the Health and Safety of New Brunswickers
The persistent crisis of substance abuse in New Brunswick underscores the urgent necessity for a comprehensive harm reduction strategy. Supporters argue that enhancing health and safety by broadening service availability will not only assist individuals grappling with addiction but will also improve the public health landscape across the province. The call for greater access to harm reduction programs, such as additional supervised consumption sites, reflects a proactive effort to tackle the complex issues associated with substance use and addiction.
We are asking the New Brunswick government to fund and implement more harm reduction programs across the province and more public health rehab beds. It is unacceptable that New Brunswick has continually seen a rise in addiction numbers and deaths.
Currently, there is only one harm reduction site in the province located in Moncton in the southeast. Other New Brunswick cities have been advocating for more sites to be implemented but there have been no changes. Currently, there are only 34 addiction treatment beds between two of the province's hospitals. As of April 2024, there were over 200 people on the waitlist for treatment, with wait times being anywhere from 3-8 months. The lack of response from the government to address this issue is disappointing and unacceptable.
We are demanding the following from our provincial government:
1. Immediate funding to increase harm reduction sites across New Brunswick, ensuring all communities have access to addiction services.
2. Expansion of public health addiction treatment beds to help reduce wait times and provide timely care for those seeking help.
3. Support for public health initiatives that prioritize the safety and well-being of New Brunswickers battling addiction.
With the recent change in provincial government, this is the perfect opportunity for New Brunswickers to come together and ensure that addiction services are a top priority. By signing this petition, you are helping to make it clear that we demand action, understanding, and improved access to life-saving treatment. Let’s make our province safer for everyone.
Reference:
16
The Issue
New Brunswick for Harm Reduction: Prioritizing the Health and Safety of New Brunswickers
The persistent crisis of substance abuse in New Brunswick underscores the urgent necessity for a comprehensive harm reduction strategy. Supporters argue that enhancing health and safety by broadening service availability will not only assist individuals grappling with addiction but will also improve the public health landscape across the province. The call for greater access to harm reduction programs, such as additional supervised consumption sites, reflects a proactive effort to tackle the complex issues associated with substance use and addiction.
We are asking the New Brunswick government to fund and implement more harm reduction programs across the province and more public health rehab beds. It is unacceptable that New Brunswick has continually seen a rise in addiction numbers and deaths.
Currently, there is only one harm reduction site in the province located in Moncton in the southeast. Other New Brunswick cities have been advocating for more sites to be implemented but there have been no changes. Currently, there are only 34 addiction treatment beds between two of the province's hospitals. As of April 2024, there were over 200 people on the waitlist for treatment, with wait times being anywhere from 3-8 months. The lack of response from the government to address this issue is disappointing and unacceptable.
We are demanding the following from our provincial government:
1. Immediate funding to increase harm reduction sites across New Brunswick, ensuring all communities have access to addiction services.
2. Expansion of public health addiction treatment beds to help reduce wait times and provide timely care for those seeking help.
3. Support for public health initiatives that prioritize the safety and well-being of New Brunswickers battling addiction.
With the recent change in provincial government, this is the perfect opportunity for New Brunswickers to come together and ensure that addiction services are a top priority. By signing this petition, you are helping to make it clear that we demand action, understanding, and improved access to life-saving treatment. Let’s make our province safer for everyone.
Reference:
16
Petition created on February 27, 2025