FSIN Taking Hard Look At Illegal Drug Use

Monday, April 24, 2006 at 14:10

 

 

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is hosting a two-day conference in Saskatoon, beginning today, that is attempting to look at all aspects of substance abuse.

 

The get-together is entitled “A Gathering of Eagles”, and includes workshops on a strategy to address illegal drugs on reserves, legal tools for enforcement, treatment services and self-help programming.

 

FSIN vice-chief Lawrence Joseph says the conference is action-oriented, meaning agencies will be coordinating plans of how to attack the problem.

 

He says drugs are an issue that affect life in both cities and reserves, noting it has become especially complicated recently with the emergence of crystal meth.

 

Joseph says solutions will only be found by talking with the agencies and people involved. He believes the government could benefit from this approach.

 

The conference wraps up tomorrow, but not before a panel discussion with representatives from the FSIN, RCMP, Saskatoon Police, Saskatchewan Justice and Indian Affairs.