(File photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By battlefordsNOW staff

Calling for Help

Red Pheasant CN declares state of emergency after seven drug overdoses in one day

Sep 30, 2023 | 9:37 AM

Red Pheasant Cree Nation near North Battleford has declared a state of emergency after seven of their members overdosed on drugs over a 24-hour span.

In a release sent out to media Saturday morning, the First Nation said that they are concerned about the rise in violence in the community and for the safety of their residents. Additionally, they said that many people on the reserve are living in fear and are hesitant to cooperate with the RCMP because of fears of retaliation.

According to Chief Lux Benson, Red Pheasant Cree Nation’s leaders aren’t taking the situation lightly.

“We must do something, and this is our first step; our leadership is taking urgent measures to address the drug problem in the community,” he said in the release.

“We have issued a warning to evict the residents of houses where drug activity is suspected; we will disconnect utilities and board up the doors and windows. The drug problem in our community is a serious and complex issue that requires a coordinated and effective response from various stakeholders. One of the key partners we need in this effort is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who have the mandate and the expertise to enforce the law and disrupt the supply of illicit substances. We urge the RCMP to step up and help us address this challenge by increasing their presence, resources, and collaboration.”

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The reserve believes that most of the overdoses could be attributed to addictions and mental health issues.

To take further action, Red Pheasant Cree Nation is calling on the federal health minister and the provincial government to discuss how they can deliver a healthcare strategy to First Nations in the province that will work.

“We call on all our leaders to act now and save lives,” the release read.

It was not specified the date of when the overdoses happened.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com