Matawa First Nations leaders are proposing a $34 million strategy to halt prescription drug abuse — a strategy that would fund addiction and mental health workers in nine communities.
And perhaps, most importantly, the plan would include ongoing care.
Diane Andrews, an alcohol and drug abuse worker at Constance Lake First Nation, said many people return from addiction treatment, only to relapse, because there is no aftercare in the community.
"When you go to treatment … you're vulnerable and you open up and you start releasing some of the hurts,” Andrews said. “You know if you only go for 21 days or even six weeks that's not enough."
The Matawa proposal also emphasizes prevention. They presented the plan yesterday, at the end of a three-day conference at Long Lake 58 First Nation.
It was an emotional three days for many of the participants, during which time several people shared their stories about addiction, pain and the struggle to be free from drug abuse.
But the gathering was also about hope, said Francine Pellerin, the health director for Matawa First Nations.
"We have a big dream, but that's what it's going to take in order for us to work with our people who are struggling with ... prescription drugs right now,” she said.
With a price tag of close to $34 million, the dream is a big one. That money would pay for dedicated staff in each of Matawa's nine First Nations to treat addictions, manage withdrawal and provide mental health services.
It would also create residential treatment centres located in Constance Lake and Eabametoong, as well as reinforce cultural pride and education to help prevent drug abuse in the first place.
To pay for it all, Matawa will approach the federal government and make a pitch for private donors like Ring of Fire mining companies, who may want to invest in an addiction-free workforce.
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