Manitoba First Nations members who live on-reserve and struggle with prescription drug addiction will have more access to treatment and support.
On behalf of the federal government, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Shelly Glover last week announced $2.96 million in funding over five years for such programming.
“Our government is committed to addressing the issue of prescription drug abuse,” she said April 14. “Today’s announcement will help First Nations living in Manitoba who are facing prescription drug abuse issues in their communities. This funding will ensure there is access to culturally relevant care and support.”
The money will go toward existing treatment centres so they can design more effective interventions and support people with prescription drug addictions.
It will also go toward prevention-training activities for staff who treat people with drug addictions and a prescription drug abuse crisis intervention team made up of specialists that can help caregivers in treatment facilities manage clients.
This team will be coordinated through regional hubs in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Manitoba’s hub will be under the supervision of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Health Authority in partnership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.
The money is part of $13.5 million in funding for prescription drug abuse treatment in First Nations communities across Canada.
Safety pledged
Following the recent bunker-fuel spill in Vancouver, northern Manitoba resident Darrell Nabess is worried of the possibility of such a mishap happening in his province.
“My concern is if they have the proper equipment to clean up spills? That is one of the big issues,” says Nabess, a Thompson resident.
Nabess, who worked on the Conawapa generating station project in 2013 and 2014, says if fuel did spill it would end up landing in Churchill and Hudson Bay, affecting the animals in the water as well as trap lines.
But Merv Tweed, president of OmniTrax Canada, says the Port of Churchill, which the company runs, has the proper measures in place to prevent a spill.
“OmniTrax is committed to running safe railroads and a safe port facility, and have safety policies deployed to prevent any potential situation,” Tweed said. “We will continue to provide the resources needed to operate safely. And if an issue should occur, we have procedures in place to quickly and effectively address the situation so things return to normal as soon as possible.”
Driver flees scenes
RCMP are investigating a two-vehicle collision at an intersection in The Pas.
This past Sunday, April 19, at about 6:30 pm, The Pas RCMP were dispatched to a collision at the intersection of Fischer Avenue and 7th Street.
Investigation revealed a pickup truck was travelling southbound on Fischer Avenue and rounded the corner, approaching the intersection near Ken’s Shell.
As the pickup rounded the corner, it lost control and struck two traffic control signs, before striking a car occupied by two persons. The two occupants were treated on scene and released with minor injuries.
The pickup then fled the collision scene eastbound on 7th Street, after striking an utility pole.
The vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage and was abandoned by the driver two blocks east of the collision location. The driver fled the scene.
The investigation is continuing. Alcohol is a suspected
factor.
Better care demanded
The Saskatchewan NDP is demanding immediate action after an inquest revealed problems with the province’s social services system.
This follows a coroner’s inquest into the homicide of six-year-old Lee Bonneau, whom RCMP believe was murdered by another child while in the care of social services.
NDP social services critic David Forbes said he wants to see a plan to implement recommendations stemming from the inquest and a schedule to report publicly on progress.
Some recommendations call for better use of processes already in place, while others indicate a need for more or better-used resources.
“Some of these recommendations make it clear that the basics aren’t being managed in social services,” Forbes said, “but it shouldn’t take the horrific homicide of a child in care, and a coroner’s inquest, for the Sask Party government to realize that follow up on parental services agreements is necessary, or that rural offices need enough resources to handle the number of children who need their care, for example.”
Stemming the flow
Since early February, Wabowden RCMP have made several seizures of drugs and alcohol destined for the northern Manitoba reserve of Norway House.
The seizures have included alcohol, prescription pills, marijuana, morphine powder and cocaine. Seven people, including five from Norway House and two from Alberta, have been charged.
Norway House is a dry community that does not permit the possession of alcohol.
Police ask anyone with information on drug trafficking to call their local RCMP detachment or the anonymous, cash-rewarding Crime Stoppers hotline at
1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Economic pain
Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives are linking 2013’s PST increase to job losses.
“Private-sector and self-employed job losses following the hike in the PST numbered more than 12,000 in the months that followed,” wrote Heather Stefanson, opposition critic for jobs and economy, in an op-ed.
Stefanson said the province’s business sector rebounded, but it’s wrong for the NDP government to try and take credit for that.
“The NDP is now claiming credit for business sector recovery from a disaster the NDP itself created,” she wrote. “Is it any wonder that, according to the Manitoba Business Leaders Index, confidence the provincial government is creating a good climate for business is at an all-time low of only 13 per cent?”
Stefanson added that compared to the month before the 2013 PST hike, private-sector and self-employed job numbers have together improved by less than one-half of one per cent, despite the advantages of a low dollar and low gas prices.
