GROUP EXAMINING ISSUE OF DRUGS IN COMMUNITY

SASKATOON - Drugs and alcohol have been a constant problem on the
Mistawasis First Nation, but planning is being done in an effort to
eliminate illegal drugs and curb the negative effects of alcohol.

Russel "Sam" Badger is leading a team of eight who created an
initiative called the Mistawasis Comprehensive Strategic Planning for
(on-reserve) Illegal Drug Elimination. Badger and his team have been
holding focus groups to discuss how they can address the issues that
accompany drugs and alcohol on their reserve, located about 125
kilometres north of Saskatoon.

"It's a project to address the drugs and alcohol issue in Mistawasis
because there has been too many deaths since the 1960s," Badger said.

Badger said in the last 50 years, about 180 people from the reserve
have died and 50 have disabilities as a result of drugs and alcohol.

Badger and his team intend to reduce crime, fear and death on
Mistawasis while increasing self-respect through bylaws.

The bylaws have not been created but Badger said the team has an idea
as to what it would like to see done.

Badger would like to see a trespassing bylaw to prevent potential
criminals or drug dealers from entering the community. He also wants
to initiate a program where background checks would be necessary for
people who want to join Mistawasis.

Badger and his team are also in the process of creating a tip line
where people from the reserve can report drug dealers to the RCMP.

According to Badger, the bylaws and tip line will help people protect
Mistawasis from drugs and alcohol as if they were protecting their own
home.

"All these bylaws are being incorporated to support and strengthen the
drug and alcohol program and it will slowly branch out to other areas
like justice and politics," Badger said.

- - Canwest News Service