Members of Grey Bruce Public Health’s Board of Directors are continuing their efforts to focus more on working through the opioid crisis in the region.
During their board meeting on Friday, March 31st, non-voting board member representing Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, Nick Saunders made an emotional plea to the other members to collectively find a way to deal with the issue and prevent more deaths as quickly as possible.
Saunders made an impassioned speech to the board, saying “This is more of a state of emergency than the pandemic, as far as I’m concerned, and I think we need to address it, as a state of emergency.”
He referenced recent challenges and drug-related deaths over the past several weeks both for Saugeen First Nation, and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.
During the following conversation among the board, the group discussed potential steps that could be taken to get attention from other health authorities, as well as the provincial and federal governments.
Echoing his sentiments, fellow board member Helen-Claire Tingling added that “No child dreams of growing up and becoming a drug addict.”
While also fighting back emotion, Tingling added that while the cause of addiction can be complicated, although the first — and perhaps second time someone takes drugs — is a choice, she says that “Quickly thereafter, it no longer is.”