NB finances

A study by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council says that New Brunswick’s debt levels are risky and spending should be cut to put it back in the black.

The provincial government debt per person is about 19 thousand dollars.

Opposition Tory leader Blaine Higgs is concerned about the Liberals plan to spend big on infrastructure, like the twinning of a portion of Route 11 between Miramichi and Shediac.

Opioids

Doctors are being urged to rethink the way they prescribe opioids.

New guidelines in a report by the National Pain Centre at McMaster University says doctors should avoid giving opioids as an initial treatment for patients with chronic, non-cancer pain.  Doctors should try other medications first because of the risk of addiction as well as potential overdose deaths.