For Immediate Release
November 6, 2024
NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) is challenging government to get serious about addressing the root causes. This, Dinn explains, are the social determinants of health.
With government announcing more funding for the RCMP and RNC to address crime, Dinn says that funding for enforcement is one thing, but addressing why people are finding themselves in the justice system would go a lot further.
“We must ask ourselves why people find themselves in the justice system. Most of the folks I have spoken to who have been incarcerated tell me they don’t have the supports needed to pull themselves out of the lifestyle,” said Dinn. “We have a penitentiary that has been called a human rights violation. We should want people to better themselves while serving time so that when they leave, they can be active members of society. Policing is important, but what happens after? We can’t continue to let the cycle continue.
“We need to invest in harm reduction. If someone can’t afford food, can’t find affordable housing, can’t access mental health resources, how are they supposed to overcome their situation?” he questioned. “Take housing. In many congregate living shelters, people who are trying to get clean of drugs and alcohol are forced to share living arrangements with folks actively using drugs. If someone can’t afford to eat, what are their options? Addressing the social determinants of health in a meaningful way will not just elevate the stress on the justice system, but on many systems that are at crisis level.”
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
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