First Nations issue resolutions to ban drug traffickers

As EsgenopetitjFirst Nationmourns and prepares for the funeral service of a suspected overdose victim, an addictions counsellor says they're remaining vigilant and hopeful there will be no more overdoses.

Leo Bartibogue said there should be help available for people with addicitions, but he would also like to see something done to keep drugs like the pills suspected to have caused 35-year-old Ann Marie Lambert's deathand four other overdoses off the reserve.

The drug involved isn't known yet, though people are concerned it's fentanyl, a powerful drug that has been linked to an increasing number of overdose deaths across Canada.NeguacRCMPhave askedHealth Canada's toxicology lab for an "urgent" analysis of thedrug taken by Lambert.

Bartibogueis hoping to see the band council pass a drug-trafficking banishment resolution like councils in ElsipogtogFirst Nationand TobiqueFirst Nation have.

"I did talk to the chief about it and asked that he make a recommendation. He's going to address it with the council."

The band councils'resolutions were passed two days after the first four overdoses occurred inEsgenopetitj. Both communities'resolutionswarn that peopletrafficking fentanyl and other drugs will be banned.

Tobique'sresolution includes not only banishment from the reserve, but also from community services and benefits.

The band councils say they are taking these steps to protect the health and safety of those living in the community.

Bartibogue said inEsgenopetitj so many people are relatedit may be difficult for some to agree to a similar measure, knowing some people may be expelled.

"Hopefully something can be done to help this situation." said Bartibogue.

Resolutions welcome

For John Levi of Elsipogtog First Nation, the news theband council istaking action is welcome.

"I've been fighting with the band to get rid of the dealers. I'm proud of the chief and council for taking that stand," he said.

Levi said he's been confronting people identified to him as dealers, telling them to stop what they are doing.

For him, it's personal.

"I lost my niece last year to suicide, I knew what the drugs were doing to her," Levi said of the 23-year-old.

With the resolution, he hopes more people will join his fight and more band councils will pass the same resolution.

"It takes strong a leader to do that. We need more of that," said Levi.

Meanwhile, Bartibogue is working to get more naloxonekits into the community and more people trained to use them.

Naloxoneis administered by a needle or nasal spray to a person who is suspected to have overdosed. It reversesthe effect of anopioid overdose.

"I have one myself and we have two or three others," said Bartibogue. "But we also need people to call us for help if they think someone has overdosed. We are here to help."