Pubdate: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Copyright: 2010 The Leader-Post Ltd. Contact: http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361 Author: Doyle Fox, Saskatchewan News Network GROUP EXAMINING ISSUE OF DRUGS IN COMMUNITY SASKATOON - Drugs and alcohol have been a constant problem on the Mistawasis First Nation, but planning is being done in an effort to eliminate illegal drugs and curb the negative effects of alcohol. Russel "Sam" Badger is leading a team of eight who created an initiative called the Mistawasis Comprehensive Strategic Planning for (on-reserve) Illegal Drug Elimination. Badger and his team have been holding focus groups to discuss how they can address the issues that accompany drugs and alcohol on their reserve, located about 125 kilometres north of Saskatoon. "It's a project to address the drugs and alcohol issue in Mistawasis because there has been too many deaths since the 1960s," Badger said. Badger said in the last 50 years, about 180 people from the reserve have died and 50 have disabilities as a result of drugs and alcohol. Badger and his team intend to reduce crime, fear and death on Mistawasis while increasing self-respect through bylaws. The bylaws have not been created but Badger said the team has an idea as to what it would like to see done. Badger would like to see a trespassing bylaw to prevent potential criminals or drug dealers from entering the community. He also wants to initiate a program where background checks would be necessary for people who want to join Mistawasis. Badger and his team are also in the process of creating a tip line where people from the reserve can report drug dealers to the RCMP. According to Badger, the bylaws and tip line will help people protect Mistawasis from drugs and alcohol as if they were protecting their own home. "All these bylaws are being incorporated to support and strengthen the drug and alcohol program and it will slowly branch out to other areas like justice and politics," Badger said. - - Canwest News Service - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D