REGINA - When Regina resident Justin Ritco heard someone close to him needed help for their drug addiction, he thought the process would be simple, like you would see in the movies.
Instead, Ritco is waiting to see when the person can get into a detox centre, worrying something bad could happen.
When Ritco first admitted the person to a detox centre in Regina, there were 28 people ahead of them.
This was the shortest wait time for any detox centre in the province, as both Moose Jaw and Saskatoon are experiencing longer wait times.
Because the person was waiting, Ritco was told to administer them drugs.
"It seems crazy to me that this is the only alternative," he said. Ritco added, "this individual made the decision to want to quit drugs, and right now, their only solution to get clean is to continue them."
Ritco posted his story on Facebook, which got tons of reactions.
"It must be a [common] issue because I got an outcry of support."
Many of the people suggested certain alternatives, but Ritco said they’re either full or not accessible.
Currently, Sask. has about 14 detox centres for a population of 1.4 million. This means for every one detox centre, it roughly equates to supporting 100,000 people.
There are currently plans to build a new 20-bed recovery & wellness centre on the Ochapowace Nation, but there was no date given for construction to be completed.
Other detox facilities, like the addictions treatment centre near Lumsden, faced a one-year delay to accept patients, which caused outrage for many.
Treatment centres told Ritco that many people drop out of getting help because they change their minds or no longer believe they need help.
This has been a constant battle with the person Ritco is close to, who is changing their mind constantly.
In Ritco’s eyes, the solution is to open private detox centres, which people can pay for.
"This would allow people to come together as a family or a group to say we want to help these people out."
While Ritco understands that not everyone can afford privatization, he believes those who can will relieve the stress on public services.
There have been mixed reactions regarding the implementation of privatized health care, with union members strongly opposing it.
However, a poll done in 2024 by Leger said, "52 per cent of Canadians support the idea of retaining the public healthcare system while allowing patients to use their own funds to pay for surgeries or tests at local private clinics."
While Canadians don’t want to see privatized health care impede the access of high-quality public health care, certain residents are willing to pay out-of-pocket for faster solutions.
Ritco also suggested implementing more beds at these facilities, even if it increases the tax burden on residents.
Even though people would pay more money, Ritco said, "it would have a net benefit to everyone in this community by getting people off the streets and getting them into improving their lives."
He stressed the current drug overdose crisis in Saskatoon and how a lack of immediate treatment could have consequences.
"I would almost say it is life and death right now with the amount of overdoses happening there."
