Mistawasis Addressing Scourge Of Substance Abuse

Mistawasis Addressing Scourge Of Substance Abuse

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 12:45

 

 

A Mistawasis First Nation educator has a vision of his community members being able to walk through the reserve and feel safe.

 

Russel “Sam” Badger says the community isn’t there yet — but it’s taking steps to get there, such as dealing with drug and alcohol abuse.

 

Badger told a roomful of health and wellness conference delegates in Saskatoon yesterday that those two substances have affected everyone on his reserve, and so it will take everyone to turn it around.

 

A committee has been established to come up with a plan to eliminate illegal drugs, and Badger says it is seeking input from elders to schoolchildren.

 

Badger says the students showed real initiative as they told him they’d like to make a presentation about drugs and alcohol to the parents.

 

He says the committee is coming up with ideas such as possible bylaws that would evict people who are using their homes to sell drugs.

 

Talking circles have also been used so people can talk about their issues.

 

According to Badger, about 180 people from his reserve have died due to drugs and alcohol since 1960.