The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Chief and Council have declared a State of Emergency related to the opioid crisis.
A release from the First Nation states that "opioid-related harms, overdoses and deaths have reached crisis proportions with Nawash members as addiction rates have increased rapidly over the last few years and as the growing presence of fentanyl and carfentanyl in the unregulated drug supply has infiltrated Canada."
The release also shares that overdoses from opioids impacting Nawash residents have risen since the pandemic, and with the nearest hospital being 30 minutes from Neyaashiinigmiing, individuals that have overdosed are often unable to receive treatment in time.
Additionally, overdose and mortality rates on reserve and in the community continue to be much higher than the rest of the Ontario population.
Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Chief and Council, Neyaashiinigmiing Police, Chippewas of Nawash Health & Wellness, Social Services, and Native Child Welfare programs are "making an emotional plea to acquire more services, resources and access to support and funding to help with this crisis impacting their community and members," the release shared.
“We are tired of going to funerals,” said Councillor Anthony Chegahno, “We are tired of continually mourning. We need access to more resources and are in dire need of more experts to come to our community and help with our distressing opioid crisis. We are tired of seeing our loved ones die.”