Harpreet Singh today pointed to new, additional steps a re-elected Conservative government will take to combat drug abuse and accused his opponents of supporting policies that would make drugs even more available in Canadian neighbourhoods.
“Drugs destroy lives, rob young people of their future and tear families apart,” said Harpreet Singh. “Justin Trudeau and the Liberals said they want marijuana available in corner stores and injection sites in more neighbourhoods.”
The Conservative government launched the National Anti-Drug Strategy in 2006 that contributes to safer communities by focusing on enforcement, prevention, and treatment.
“Our National Anti-Drug Strategy is working,” Harpreet Singh said. But there is much more that needs to be done to combat drug use, particularly among youth.”
To counter the damage caused in communities by drug abuse, a Conservative government would strengthen the National Anti-Drug Strategy by:
Supporting a national toll-free helpline where parents can get advice to help them recognize the signs of drug use and prevent their children from using drugs in the first place
- Implementing a 20-percent increase in funding for the RCMP’s Clandestine Laboratory teams to target the production of illegal drugs, including grow-ops and meth labs
- Renewing the mandate of the Mental Health Commission of Canada for 10 years, and updating it to focus on links between substance abuse and mental health.
“These steps will help protect children and our neighbourhoods from illegal drugs,” Harpreet Singh said. “We will also provide treatment support for those recovering from addiction problems.”
Harpreet Singh warned that the Liberals and NDP would follow a different approach, including rolling back the government’s Respect For Communities Act, which gives police, families and residents a say whenever there is a proposal to open a drug injection site.
“Justin Trudeau and the Liberals refuse to acknowledge the damage that drugs do to families and communities,” Harpreet SIngh said. “Justin wants to make smoking marijuana normal, everyday activity for Canadians and allow the sale of marijuana in corner stores. Justin has also said, “I certainly want to see more safe injection sites opened around the country”.”
“Thomas Mulcair’s NDP supports dangerous policies that will encourage illegal drug use and increase the health, crime and community safety problems that come with it,” Harpreet Singh. “The NDP “proudly” supports heroin injection sites and welcomes their establishment in more neighbourhoods across the country.”
“Unlike the other parties, we will not give up on treating addicts or introduce reckless policies that would encourage the use of illegal drugs,” said Harpreet Singh.
