There’s a big illegal drug and alcohol crisis continuing among communities in the Mushkegowuk First Nations.

So much so, that members of the Mushkegowuk Council and their partners want to develop and implement a regional strategy to curb the issue once and for all.

Mushkegowuk states in a release the crisis is the leading cause of such issues as “criminal activity, premature deaths, destruction of families and cause life-long hardship for the elders, innocent children and families.”

The Mushkegowuk Council adds the usage of illegal drugs and alcohol creates serious challenges for a number of agencies.

The youth have stepped up too. “Youth Walkers” took it upon themselves to walk from Attawapiskat to Moose Factory to raise awareness last winter.

Attawapiskat Chief Ignace Gull was quoted as saying local children “want to eat, but there is no food for them.”

“They are not sleeping and many of them do not have clothing,” Gull adds, “It’s very sad, most of our children, elders and other community members are all victims of the drug trade and it is our responsibility as leaders to take action.”

Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon echoed those sentiments.

“In reality, the communities and the whole region is in a crisis,” he states, “In some way or another, every community member is affected. The illegal drug and alcohol trade has taken over our communities. It’s a serious disease, it’s big dirty business being brought in our communities by criminals from the south.”

“It’s killing us. Our region is (in) a very serious crisis and we need to work together to take action.”

Added Mushkegowuk Council Deputy Grand Chief Rebecca Friday: “Many of our people are in pain for some reason or another and resort to the use of illegal drugs and alcohol for coping skills. These people know the effects of illegal drugs and they see their children and family suffering also. We need to work with the people that are involved with the use of illegal drugs and alcohol.”

“We don’t want them to go to jail, we want to help them. We need to provide them with more healing services. We also acknowledge and commend the service providers that are there trying the help the people suffering from illegal drugs and alcohol, but they too need more support.”

An emergency meeting of Deputy Chiefs, the Regional Coroner’s Office and Nishnawbe Aski Police Service was held last Friday (July 7).

Members with Nishnawbe Aski Police presented information on their drug enforcement unit and the challenges they encounter with the illegal drug trade.

The release says existing laws need to change, and NAPS needs to be equipped with adequate resources to combat the community epidemic.

“In the coming months with the support from Mushkegowuk Council, Nishnawbe Aski Police Services, and the First Nations, security screening machines will be installed in their respective communities to try and stop the flow of illicit drugs as much as possible.”

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