A State of Emergency was declared by Cat Lake First Nation in northern Ontario

A State of Emergency was declared by Cat Lake First Nation in northern Ontario which estimates seven out of 10 adults and youth there are abusing prescription medication. Cat Lake is looking for help in dealing with a pandemic of oxycodone use. “Cat Lake First Nation can no longer deal with the situation of prescription drug abuse alone. This affects all of our community, not only the users,” said Chief Matthew Keewaykapow. “Our Elders are impacted when they have to worry about providing for their grandchildren as money for food disappears to purchase drugs. We also have general security concerns as vandalism and thefts have increased across the community.” The community is working with police to expedite search warrants. Cat Lake even developed its own search and seizure law, but it was challenged in court and found to be unconstitutional. There have been a series of drug busts in the territory but the community complains that the dealers are soon out on the streets again. The chief and council have assembled a task force that includes addicts to discuss how to best address the issue. One recommendation was to begin a suboxone program, which is an opiate substitute in pill form. Health Canada said workers will be moved to the community. Cat Lake is not the only nation to be suffering a prescription drug epidemic of misuse. Eabametoong First Nation in northwestern Ontario has made news lately, estimating that 80 per cent of the adult population is hooked on prescription pain killers.