Drug problem: state of emergency declared in aboriginal communities of Manitoba

QMI agency

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 23:49

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Wednesday, September 6, 2017 23:49

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The tribal Council Dakota Ojibway, which includes seven First Nations communities, representing 20 000 people in Manitoba, declared a state of emergency due to major drug problems.

“Everyone in our communities is affected personally. Even one of my children. It is difficult and sad, and we ask ourselves “what can we do’,” explained the chief Francine Meeches at a press conference reported by the Portage Daily Graphic”.

“Last year, in my community, 60 % of newborns received morphine at birth due to the dependence of their mothers,” said another chief, Kenneth Chalmers, to CTV News.

According to the board, the communities do not have the means to help the victims of the drug, while it costs 30 000 $ each time a person is sent to rehab.

The Council has called on the various levels of government to invest to attempt to stop the crisis. “It is a horror story that continues to get worse,” said the chief Chalmers.