ANTI-DRUG STRATEGY TAKES SHAPE

The Anishinabek Nation is taking significant steps to eliminate
illicit drug abuse, trafficking and associated organized crime in its
42 First Nations across Ontario.

Grand Council Chief John Beaucage has announced the framework for the
War on Drugs strategy declared by the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-
Assembly last November.

We will eliminate the drug problem on First Nations," said
Beaucage.

Our leadership and communities are fully committed to the War on
Drugs. This is another significant step in reclaiming our own
jurisdiction and eliminating a difficult barrier to wellness,
community healing and ultimately, our nationhood."

Last fall, the Chiefs of the Anishinabek Nation communities
unanimously passed a resolution giving First Nation councils the
authority to rid their communities of drug dealers.

The War on Drugs is based on a strategy developed by Vancouver to
combat drug problems in its notorious Downtown Eastside.

The strategy includes:

Prevention

Promoting healthy families and communities, protecting child and
youth development, preventing or delaying the start of substance use
among young people. Promoting the consequences of drug use, and the
serious nature of the Anishinabek Nation War on Drugs. A specific
focus will be on youth, including counselling, recreation and
community support programs.

Treatment

The Anishinabek Nation will advocate to improve access to services
that will help citizens come to terms with substance use and lead
healthier lives. They will establish more community treatment
programs. An important facet of this strategy is to establish
outpatient and peer-based counselling and ongoing medical care.

Protecting our own

Special focus will be on the promotion of a community-based model of
Ogitchidaawin: Protecting Our Own. This will include the development of a
website and call centre for Anishinabek citizens to report suspicious
activity on-reserve, and anonymously report drug trafficking and related
offences.

Enforcement

The Anishinabek Nation and member First Nations will support the
investigation, enforcement and prosecution of illicit drug activity,
organized crime and gangs on-reserve, drug trafficking, drug houses,
and the elimination of businesses and outsiders involved in the drug
trade.

A War on Drugs policy conference will take place Feb. 16 and 17 at
the Whitefish Lake First Nation near Sudbury. Chiefs of the
Anishinabek Nation, as well as enforcement services and community
health providers, will develop strategies and customary laws.

Partners in the War on Drugs will include the federal and provincial
governments, the Ontario Provincial Police, Anishinabek Police
Service, as well as community and tribal police.