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Manitoba announced the creation of an illicit drug task force on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, that will partner with both the federal government and the City of Winnipeg.
“The problems associated with illicit drug use destroy families, hurt communities, cross all jurisdictional boundaries, and require a collaborative and co-ordinated response from all levels of government,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen. “We look forward to working together with our federal and municipal partners to find solutions and build on recent initiatives of the Manitoba government.”
The task force has been mandated to find practical recommendations to combat the use and distribution of illicit drugs like methamphetamine, opioids, cocaine and other hallucinogens.
Members from all three levels of government will be part of the oversight committee and will be chaired jointly by the deputy minister of Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living, Karen Herd and Michael Jack the chief corporate services officer for the City of Winnipeg.
“The federal government understands methamphetamine and other illicit drugs are destroying the lives of our youths, families and continues to have a negative impact on communities throughout Manitoba,” said Robert-Falcon Ouellette, member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre. “We see the creation of a joint task force as an opportunity for all three levels of government to work collaboratively and put forth concrete solutions to combat opioids and other illicit drugs. We need to listen to the people doing the work on the ground.”
The task force is charged with finding areas that can be improved with existing programs in relation to the prevention, treatment and deterrence of illicit drug use. They will also look at ways to improve enforcement by looking to other jurisdictions to see what they do as well as explore Criminal Code changes that could further deter the illicit drug trade.
“Police continue to identify methamphetamine as a key driver of violent crime in our city and, by themselves, no one level of government can successfully address the challenges of methamphetamine as well as other illicit drugs,” said Mayor of Winnipeg Brian Bowman.
The task force is expected to have a final report in June 2019.
© 2018 News 4
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