Prescription drug abuse continues to devastate communities

For the second straight year, prescription drug abuse is Wawatay’s top news item of the year.
Prescription drug abuse continues to be the most consistent item covered by Wawatay just as it consistently continues to plague First Nation communities in the region.
Early in the year, a rise in suicide stats in the James Bay area prompted Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy to speculate prescription drug abuse is a possible cause for the increase in suicides.
“Prescription drugs are creating chaos,” Beardy said, explaining some communities are facing prescription drug abuse rates as high as 70 per cent of the population. “The chiefs are telling me there just isn’t enough food (in some homes). Their next meal is a challenge for some of the children.”
Beardy said some prescription drug abusers are selling most of their possessions and not buying food in order to buy more prescription drugs to feed their addiction.
The situation prompted a Sandy Lake youth to speak out. Jonathan McKay, who now lives in Thunder Bay, said it’s time to take action against prescription drug abuse.
“It’s really hard to do something but you’ve got to make an effort to do something,” McKay said explaining that young and old are abusing prescription drugs. “It affects all ages.”
Prescription drug abuse continued to be front and centre during NAN’s annual chiefs meeting in June. NAN also focused on the issue at its Day of Prayer event in November.
Other organizations have been working to tackle the problem as well. Keewaytinook Okimakanak’s health department was in Muskrat Dam in late April to deliver a workshop. KO also held their second Chiefs Forum in November to discuss prescription drug abuse. At that forum, two youth came forward to talk about their addictions.
“I am a Grade 11 student at DFC and I use Oxycontins,” said Anita Meekis, a student from Sandy Lake who started using codeine and Percocets three years ago when she was 16. “I’m just a teenager and I have (had) a lot of issues for the last few years.”
Meekis, who attends school at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay, said she didn’t seek help for her addiction because she was ashamed. But during her presentation at the Chiefs Forum, she said she’s now seeking help to overcome the problem.
Wasaya Airways has also taken steps to curb the flow of prescription drugs into First Nation communities the company flies to.
Wasaya has developed a framework to improve security and cut down on contraband.
Steps include:
• purchasing, installing, manning and maintaining baggage screening in Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Pickle Lake pending partnerships;
• adding a $2.50 fee for each flight booking and $0.25 per shipment to offset the security measures;
• requiring recognizable photo ID for all passengers, shippers and consignees;
• specialized training for airline staff on contraband detection, complete with reporting policies and procedures;
• airline staff will be required to acquire Transport Canada security passes where necessary; and
• establishing or participating in a community security authority group with all stakeholders to exchange ideas, information and updates and security measure progress.
Wasaya Airways’ John Beardy said they plan to install baggage and cargo screening machines to screen baggage and shipments at the Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake and Red Lake airports.
“The plan here will affect all the communities we service,” Beardy said. “We plan to screen every bag and every shipment that goes through the airline.”
Shibogama First Nations Council is financially supporting the scanners, donating $16,000 to fast track the initiative. Windigo First Nations Council also supports the idea.
Over the summer, the Ontario government announced an initiative to track prescription drug abuse.
The strategy will see tracking of prescriptions through a database that would flag unusual patterns of prescribing and dispensing.
In instances of inappropriate activity, responses could include educational support and resources, reporting to the appropriate regulatory college and in extreme circumstances, law enforcement. The strategy also includes more education to patients about the appropriate use of prescription narcotics.
“We know that there is a serious narcotics abuse issue facing many Ontarians and their families throughout our province,” said Health and Long-Term Care Minister Deb Matthews. “We are taking a range of steps that reflect the severity of the issue.”
However, Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse criticized the plan. He said a one-size-fits-all approach would not address the epidemic of prescription drug abuse in First Nations.
“First Nation communities have to be involved in determining what approaches will work for them,” Toulouse said. “Their readiness to support change will help them advise funding agencies as to what resources and supports will be required to address the programming needs for a First Nations strategy.”
With files from James Thom and Rick Garrick