Manitoba child advocate report highlights voices of youth living with addictions [Video]

WINNIPEG –

A new report from the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth paints a picture of the state of addictions services for young people in the province and what needs to change.

It draws on feedback from dozens of young people and more than 120 service providers that work with youth.

“This report has a soul. We’ve released many reports in our office that had to do with children dying,” advocate Sherry Gott said Thursday.

“And this report, we spoke to youth that are still here today.”

Some of the concerns youth identified include limited access to services, long wait-lists, geographic barriers, and a lack of integrated mental health support and harm reduction services.

Those working in the field said some of the problems they see include underfunding, staff shortages and a lack of collaboration between agencies.

Systemic and structural changes are needed to address the growing number of youth seeking …