Red Pheasant outlines plans around home visits & youth curfew in fight against drug crisis

Austin Ahenakew, who’s part of Red Pheasant’s management team, told battlefordsNOW the home visits aren’t about finding drugs but rather a checkup on their members.

“It’s kind of a wrap-around approach to get people talking and making sure they’re okay,” he said.

The First Nation believes mental health played a part in the majority of the recent overdoses. In their opinion, drug addiction is a side effect of poor mental health.

Ahenakew added they aren’t concerned about finding the drugs as they already know where most dealers are operating.

“Those are known people who are doing it with very little secrecy,” he said.

For these individuals, the First Nation plans on sharing all the details they have with the RCMP.

Red Pheasant’s leadership is also trying to secure beds at detox and rehabilitation facilities to ensure members who are battling a drug addiction can get the support they need. So far, a facility in the Biggar area has offered some of their beds free of charge.

As for the curfew, it will officially start Thursday.

“I haven’t heard any negative feedback on it, nor any positive feedback,” said Ahenakew.

Meanwhile, the First Nation’s main plan to help fight the drug crisis is to set up their own Tribal Police.

Ahenakew explained nothing is set in stone with leadership still discussing the overall idea. Right now, they see turning into how community safety officers (CSOs) operate in different communities.

“(They’d) work with the RCMP, being the eyes and ears on the ground and a bit of a liaison between membership, council and staff, and the RCMP,” said Ahenakew.

He added they also need funding to help make this a reality.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by Jaryn Vecchio

Red Pheasant outlines plans around home visits & youth curfew in fight against drug crisis

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