Alarmed over an increase in drug-related crime, a group of Elders in Hay River and the KSA国际影视传媒檃tlSA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation are joining forces to fight the ill effects of addiction in their communities.
SA国际影视传媒淭here is a lot of dysfunction and we need to address it,SA国际影视传媒� said Beatrice Lepine, a founding member of the group. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not a minor problem thatSA国际影视传媒檚 going to go away. We need to be able to help people now.SA国际影视传媒�
After attending a town hall meeting on addictions in December, hosted by Hay River MLAs R.J. Simpson and Rocky Simpson, SA国际影视传媒渁 group of Elders got together and decided one of the things that is not often heard related to addictions and drug use are the EldersSA国际影视传媒� viewpoints,SA国际影视传媒� said Lepine.
The group they formed in the wake of the meeting SA国际影视传媒� where NWT Health Minister Julie Green addressed questions about public safety and substance use SA国际影视传媒� consists of retired mental health professionals and other citizens who SA国际影视传媒渟ee a real lack in programming in the community,SA国际影视传媒� said Lepine.
SA国际影视传媒淓lders are concerned with the future, with the next generation, and the generation beyond that,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 our job and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 why weSA国际影视传媒檙e reaching out.SA国际影视传媒�
Lepine knows a thing or two about addiction and its impacts on the community, having formerly served as a justice of the peace. SheSA国际影视传媒檚 also a lifelong Hay River resident who laments the pain and misery brought by drug abuse and its related harms.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a crisis going on here. People are suffering and families are suffering,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚n the past it used to be more alcohol addiction but today it seems like drugs have now added another element to the problem.SA国际影视传媒�
Hay River faced a surge of crime in 2022, with statistics presented to council on Nov. 7 showing increases in several categories of offences compared to 2021.
By the end of October, there had been 164 assaults in the community, almost doubling the previous yearSA国际影视传媒檚 total of 78.
There were also 54 break and enters, including 15 in October, a five-fold increase from the same month in 2021.
In addition, the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 chief public health officer issued a public health advisory in November after the drug carfentanil was identified in Hay River.
Amid the increase in criminal activity, Lepine said her group is in support of creating a permanent addictions treatment centre in the NWT.
She said this solution has worked in the past, noting the success of the NatsSA国际影视传媒檈jee KSA国际影视传媒檈h drug and alcohol treatment centre, a 16-bed facility that operated in the K谩t艂SA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation before closing in 2013.
Lepine identified the loss of the treatment centre as SA国际影视传媒渂eing at the centre of the problems weSA国际影视传媒檙e having with addictions today.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淭he lack of a treatment centre was pointed out at the meeting, and the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 role in failing to provide adequate services here in regards to addictions treatment,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he government is saying that itSA国际影视传媒檚 more efficient to send people down south for treatment, but of course when they return, there are no services available for things like aftercare and transition into a sober life. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 nothing there.SA国际影视传媒�
So far the group has eight members but SA国际影视传媒渁nyone who may have perspective, who may be seeking help or who may want to be involved in an effort like this,SA国际影视传媒� is welcome to join, according to Lepine.
There are plans to host a meeting sometime in the near future at the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre, which has SA国际影视传媒済raciously allowed us to use their space for discussion,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
SA国际影视传媒淚t will be an opportunity to get together to talk about what we can do as Elders,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e want to open the door to Elders.SA国际影视传媒�
