Manitoba is on track to surpass last year's number of deaths related to drug overdoses and the provincial government has announced what it plans to do about the growing issue. 

According to a press release, 80 front-line organizations and service providers in Manitoba have called for a safe consumption site to prevent drug users from dying.

But the minister of community wellness says the Progressive Conservative government hasn't identified a model that will work in Manitoba.

The Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness, Sarah Guillemard, says the strongest harm-reduction strategy is to encourage people off of drugs.

Yesterday she announced the province will spend $390,000 to expand a program to help people reduce or stop their substance use.

Manitoba reported more than 250 drug overdose deaths halfway into the year and is on track to surpass the 2021 record of 407.

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With files from the Canadian Press.