Canada’s health minister has announced $13.5 million in funding to help combat prescription drug abuse in First Nations communities across the country.
Rona Ambrose made the announcement this morning inside the Leading Thunderbird Lodge, a First Nations youth treatment centre in Fort Qu’Appelle.
Saskatchewan will get $2.6 million to combat drug abuse.
Okanese First Nation Chief Maryanne Day Walker-Pelletier welcomes the news, but adds the provincial government has to step up with a long-term strategy.
Provincial Health Minister Dustin Duncan says the province is working with pharmacists and keeping track of their dispensing patterns.