Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jul 2016
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Page: A13

TACKLING A TRAGEDY

Alarming words such as crisis, state of emergency, toxic and deadly
are being bandied about. While they do impart a sense of concern,
words that better convey the urgency of the situation would be more
appropriate: catastrophic, decimation, annihilation.

With at least 139 deaths related to drug overdoses in the past two
years, the Stoney Nakoda reserve at Morley is facing a tragedy of epic
proportions. And before anyone scoffs at that notion, consider how
those numbers would translate in Calgary.

Those deaths on the reserve of 6,000 residents amount to 2.3 per cent
of the population. That would equal 28,500 overdose victims in
Calgary. Can you imagine the shock, the outcry, the worldwide response
and immediate call to action if more than 28,000 Calgarians overdosed
in two years?

That same reaction is needed now.

It's commendable and courageous of the Stoney Nakoda to publicly call
for help after unsuccessfully trying to stem the tide for years. Their
leaders have recognized the limitations of reserve resources and now
need the assistance of the provincial and federal governments.

But where to begin? Determining authority for and delivery of health
care, policing and social services for First Nations is complex and
complicated. Band governments are notoriously slow moving. The root
causes of addictions are myriad and long-standing. There are a hundred
ways this could get bogged down by bureaucracy, inertia and the sheer
magnitude of the problem.

But perhaps the first step is the simple acknowledgment that there is
a crisis and that all three levels of government will need to
collaborate if there's any hope to overcome it.

One immediate need is for accurate statistics. How many residents are
suffering from addictions; what drugs are they taking? The Stoney
Nakoda are not alone in not knowing the extent of the problem.
Prescription opioid numbers are not tracked, nor are deaths unless
they are related to fentanyl. While much of the addiction problem in
Morley and elsewhere in Alberta is due to an illicit form of this
highly potent painkiller, there are other drugs being abused as well.
Knowing what they're dealing with will help focus health-care
resources on treating and monitoring dependencies.

Once the medical needs are looked after comes the harder work of
dealing with patients' emotional and psychological trauma - the root
causes of addiction. Continued collaboration will be needed so First
Nations can find a better path, one that guarantees the survival of
their people.
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MAP posted-by: Matt