Free naloxone kits provided by the Saskatchewan Health Authority are used to temporarily reverse opioid overdoses. (Supplied photo/Saskatchewan Health Authority)

By Elliott Knopp

Harm Reduction Program

Meadow Lake RCMP, Saskatchewan Health Authority working to combat increased presence of crystal meth

Jul 6, 2021 | 5:10 PM

The Meadow Lake RCMP detachment has taken on initiatives to help reduce crime and gang activity identified as some of the most harmful behaviours in the community. However, there is another trend that has proven to be detrimental to the community’s health and well being that local enforcement is not completely qualified to handle: the increasing use of hard drugs.

In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, S/Sgt Ryan How explained the local RCMP detachment identified the increased presence of crystal meth as one of the most concerning trends in the community.

As a synthetic stimulant, the effects of crystal meth can have an intense impact on an individual’s physical and mental health. Prolonged use of this narcotic has been proven to cause significant brain damage, severe health complications and strained/broken personal relationships. Unfortunately, these effects can last long after a person decides to quit taking the drug and if a dependency has formed, treatment can become highly difficult and challenging.

How explained when the RCMP is contacted regarding individuals using methamphetamines, there are typically two scenarios that play out. The first of which is when someone is intoxicated and has become a risk to others safety. Identified as the most common instance, members of the RCMP are involved in what is described as a ‘very volatile and dangerous’ situation as How stated the effects of the drug reduce the individual’s ability to act reasonably.

“In my role as a crisis negotiator, [I’ve learned] it is almost impossible for someone suffering [from] the effects of crystal meth to understand, reason, and follow commands,” How said. “Our goal is to safely control and work with the intoxicated subject long enough that the effects starts to wear off so they can function mentally again, but sometimes people suffer for twenty-four hours or longer.”

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Other times when the detachment is contacted, family members and close contacts report their concern for an individual’s well-being. Unfortunately, some figures in local law enforcement aren’t completely trained or equipped with the necessary resources to deal with these instances, so the individuals are redirected to the appropriate agencies.

Addictions, regardless of the substance, are looked at by government and enforcement as a health problem rather than a criminal one. How reflected this with a statement of his own, saying “we completely understand that the majority of the people that reach this point are ill and not criminals.”

Meadow Lake currently has one local detoxification facility, and it’s worth pondering what kind of impact could be made on the issue of meth in the community with a harm reduction program.

Harm reduction has been used in other communities, including Lloydminster, to provide people suffering from addiction with some resources and supplies that reduce the risk of disease transmission while introducing the first line of intervention. It also facilitates increased interaction with health professionals, creating a relationship that could lead to a desire to seek treatment.

S/Sgt. How stated such a program would be welcomed by police as it would help lessen the impact these situations can have on local law enforcement and emergency health care.

“Any harm reduction initiatives are more than welcome by the RCMP. When people suffering from addictions need the police, that generally means they are a long way down the road of substance abuse. If there can be interventions in advance of police involvement, it helps avoid these tense and dangerous scenarios where police are required to use tactical interventions and force to control a situation.”

The current approach to this health issue in Meadow Lake is led by the harm reduction program operating out of the Meadow Lake Hospital and the detox program managed by the Robert Simard Centre.

The Robert Simard Centre is a four-bed social detox centre that provides people combatting addiction with a voluntary detox unit, mental health and outpatient services. While the centre is located at the Meadow Lake Hospital, it is not a part of it. As a social detox centre, anyone who would like to be admitted must be medically stable, be at least 24 hours from their last use and voluntarily admit themselves. This is because the program only accepts patients who have a desire to quit their substance use.

The length of the stay is determined by the patient, which typically lasts between seven to 10 days. Knowing that the effects of crystal meth can have drastic effects on an individual, the centre will accommodate a longer period if necessary.

While a patient is in the detox program, they will have the opportunity to meet with an on-site counsellor, engage in provided programming and meet with an addictions counsellor to set up a recovery plan. Upon building a plan, the individual will be referred back to services in the community, or will be directed to remain in contact with counsellors on an outpatient basis for further support.

With the elevated presence of crystal meth in the community, along with other substance abuse, Mary McCubbing, Coordinator Mental Health and Addiction Services, says the Meadow Lake facility is currently in high demand.

“We’re running at just about 90 to 100 per cent capacity,” McCubbing said. “During the pandemic, we had to shut down two of the beds because of social distancing and just keeping everybody safe. With the province reopening, we’re looking at going back up to our full four-bed capacity.”

While the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is taking steps to combat these addictions, there are also steps residents can take. If someone sees an individual overdosing, the SHA has a take-home naloxone program that can help save someone’s life. These emergency kits temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, which can provide responders or individuals with time to seek medical assistance. The kits and training are free, and can be accessed at the Meadow Lake Hospital.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from an addiction to drug or alcohol and would like to receive help, addiction services can be accessed by going to the Meadow Lake Hospital. A trained medical professional will refer the appropriate individual to the local services to get them the help they need.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp