❓ A parliamentary question regarding funding for the Fresh Start recovery program and the Minister's commitment to providing financial support. The Minister defends their position, stating a variety of treatment options are needed.
AnsweredQoN 316Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FRESH START PROGRAM
I refer to a letter sent to George O’Neil on 1 April 2009 in which the minister failed to honour his commitment to provide additional funds to the Fresh Start recovery program. (1) When will the minister come good on his promise to provide the full funding request to George O’Neil? (2) Why is the minister advocating in his letter the movement of patients from the Fresh Start program to the methadone program? (3) Has the minister refused to fund George O’Neil’s program because it is cheaper for the government to treat drug addicts on methadone rather than have them get off opiates for good? Dr G.G. JACOBS
I refer to a letter sent to George O’Neil on 1 April 2009 in which the minister failed to honour his commitment to provide additional funds to the Fresh Start recovery program. (1) When will the minister come good on his promise to provide the full funding request to George O’Neil? (2) Why is the minister advocating in his letter the movement of patients from the Fresh Start program to the methadone program? (3) Has the minister refused to fund George O’Neil’s program because it is cheaper for the government to treat drug addicts on methadone rather than have them get off opiates for good? Dr G.G. JACOBS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
(1) When will the minister come good on his promise to provide the full funding request to George O’Neil? (2) Why is the minister advocating in his letter the movement of patients from the Fresh Start program to the methadone program? (3) Has the minister refused to fund George O’Neil’s program because it is cheaper for the government to treat drug addicts on methadone rather than have them get off opiates for good? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
(2) Why is the minister advocating in his letter the movement of patients from the Fresh Start program to the methadone program? (3) Has the minister refused to fund George O’Neil’s program because it is cheaper for the government to treat drug addicts on methadone rather than have them get off opiates for good? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
(3) Has the minister refused to fund George O’Neil’s program because it is cheaper for the government to treat drug addicts on methadone rather than have them get off opiates for good? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
(1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
(1) When will the minister come good on his promise to provide the full funding request to George O’Neil? (2) Why is the minister advocating in his letter the movement of patients from the Fresh Start program to the methadone program? (3) Has the minister refused to fund George O’Neil’s program because it is cheaper for the government to treat drug addicts on methadone rather than have them get off opiates for good? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
(2) Why is the minister advocating in his letter the movement of patients from the Fresh Start program to the methadone program? (3) Has the minister refused to fund George O’Neil’s program because it is cheaper for the government to treat drug addicts on methadone rather than have them get off opiates for good? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
(3) Has the minister refused to fund George O’Neil’s program because it is cheaper for the government to treat drug addicts on methadone rather than have them get off opiates for good? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question and his interest in this area. It is not the first time that he has asked questions about the good Dr George O’Neil and the very compassionate work that he does in heroin addiction. (1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
(1)-(3) It is important to say from the very outset that the letter that the deputy leader is referring to in no way negates the assurances that the government and I gave to the house of assistance for Dr O’Neil and his very good work. That assurance and that offer still stand. The letter that the deputy leader refers to was in response to Dr O’Neil’s premise that all other programs treating heroin addiction do not work and that all funds should be directed to his Fresh Start recovery program. The world is not like that. There are all sorts of ways of treating the unfortunate situation of people in addiction. Some of it is the next step program, some of it is methadone, some of it is butyrophenone, some of it is counselling and some of it could be very effective and, as I said in this place previously, naltrexone implants might end up as the gold standard for treatment for heroin addiction in this country and the world. The letter that the deputy leader is referring to just points out that it is not a perfect world, not all treatments are naltrexone implant treatments, and such implants are not the only treatment. I believe that. I believe that the people on this side of the house believe that. We are realistic enough to believe that there are all sorts of ways of treating heroin addiction, depending on the patient’s situation. One size does not fit all. That is what I was referring to in the letter referred to by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I will make an announcement in good time. We have given those assurances to Dr O’Neil. It is interesting to note that in the past couple of weeks, George O’Neil has not been in the country. It really behoves me, after we have made a decision about the purpose and magnitude of moneys, to go to George O’Neil and make him aware of what we are offering and then in good time make the formal announcement.
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