The Fisher Branch Women’s Institute is spearheading an initiative to raise awareness of increased drug use in the Interlake and is inviting surrounding communities to collaborate on strategies to tackle the issue.
Debra Barrett, president of the Manitoba Women’s Institute, said the Fisher Branch Women’s Institute formed a committee that’s organizing an open house to bring together people from the region to discuss drug use and addictions. The open house will also be live streamed for people to attend virtually.
“We’re finding that all the Interlake communities are struggling with drug addictions and the associated costs to the community. There are not just financial costs, but costs to society and the family,” she said. “We thought we’d gather some experienced and knowledgeable speakers and invite communities within the Interlake to take part in our open house where they can gather some information.”
Barrett said the focus will be on the use of on street drugs such as weed, cocaine and crack, but also opioids and to a lesser extent alcohol, all of which can lead to breakdowns in families.
“We’re finding that a lot of families are experiencing a breakdown. It not necessarily just young people using drugs; there are adults consumed by it,” said Barrett. “Children are winding up in care, marriages are failing or the cost of drugs means families don’t have the financial means to provide what’s necessary for the family unit. Addictions are expensive and they have to be funded. So there’s a lot of theft taking place.”
The WI has a number of speakers lined up, said Barrett. Representatives from the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, St. Boniface Street Links, Harm Reduction from Eriksdale and the Youth Treatment Program (Teen Challenge) will be part of the evening. There will also be individuals such as Chris (from Alcoholics Anonymous) who sits on community committees and boards and will speak on addiction impacts on the person, family, and community, Ron (from Fisher Branch) who has been a speaker on addictions at the Manitoba Youth Centre, and Kevin who will speak on the signs and behaviours of cocaine-addicted persons.
“We are also discussing speaker availability with Ian Rabb of Two Ten Recovery and Destiny House. He was formerly with Aurora Addictions Centre. And we’ve reached out to the RCMP regarding the process for enforcing an involuntary psychiatric assessment order from the Court of King’s Bench,” said Barrett.
The topics will include how to tell whether a person has an addiction, how addictions impact families and communities, resources available for individuals with an addiction and their families/loved ones, where treatment programs are located for persons living in the Interlake, and the development of a comprehensive multi-community approach to addictions, associated mental health issues and the impacts on Interlake communities.
The WI will be also providing attendees with educational materials on services available to individuals and families, treatment programs and facilities, and legal issues surrounding addictions.
What the WI is hoping to accomplish from the evening is to raise greater awareness of drug use and encourage collaboration on a strategic plan.
“Our hope is for the Interlake communities to work together in developing a strategic plan, which would result in a cohesive approach focused on reducing addiction dependency and the related effects on families and communities,” said Barrett.
She added that programs to treat addictions either have a waiting list, are beyond the financial means of people or are tailored to specific groups such as Indigenous programs at the Aurora Recovery Centre.
“At Percy Moore Hospital we’ve got an addictions centre and the program is excellent, but it’s maxed out. The availability is just not there,” she said.
The women’s institute has invited a number of communities to attend the meeting either in person or by Zoom. Those include Teulon, Arborg, Riverton, Gimli, Peguis, Fisher River, Jackhead, Moosehorn, Ashern, Eriksdale and Lundar. And all reeves and councillors from the Interlake municipalities have been invited to attend.
“There seems to be interest in this. Unfortunately, some communities are still ignoring the issue although this is knocking on everybody’s door and nobody should be ignoring it,” said Barrett. “We’ve had people as far as Sundance ask to be involved and they’ll be joining us on Zoom.”
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 in the Ukrainian National Home (hall) at 33 Provencher St. in Fisher Branch. There will be room for 100 people at the hall. To register for a Zoom link, email Debra at wicommunityprograms@gmail.com
