Blood Tribe declares state of emergency over drug deaths

The Blood Tribe in southern Alberta has declared a state of emergency regarding a drug that has taken the lives of too many people in a short period of time in their community.
 
Staff Sergeant Joseph Many Fingers says prescription drug overdose has definitely taken its toll.
 
Clip – “We’ve had a lot of deaths recently within the past 5 to 6 months, approximately 10 deaths related to prescription drug overdose. There’s a fake Oxy pill here and fake Oxy is a pill that’s mostly made out of Fentanyl which is a highly potent narcotic.”
 
While the fake oxycodone is a big contributor to the problem, Staff Sergeant Many Fingers says people are mixing other drugs which makes a deadly combination.
 
He says the state of emergency does not affect what the police are doing in the community and they are still investigating drug use and dealers, trying to crack down on the problem… also taking steps towards prevention with treatment options for addiction.