Ottawa to provide money to First Nations for prescription drug abuse treatment

FORT QU’APPELLE, Sask. – The federal government says it will do more to help First Nationsprovide treatment for prescription drug addiction.

Health Minister Rona Ambrose says Ottawa plans to spend $13.5 million over the next five years for on-reserve support programs.

Ambrose made the announcement before touring the All Nations Healing Hospital in Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask., near Regina.

Ambrose said prescription drug abuse is a significant health and safety concern in North America.

Saskatchewan First Nations and partners are to receive more than $2.6 million of the funding.

Part of the money is to go toward a crisis intervention team to be co-ordinated through two regional hubs — one in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba.