ThinkNORTH Summit

Prescription Drug Issues: A Community Perspective

Date: Thursday, October 18, 2007 (9:30am-11:00am CT) (10:30am-12:00pm ET)

Description: Hannah Myers, Health Director from Constance Lake First Nation presented the workshop on Prescription Drug Issues: A Community Perspective. The workshop was based on prescription drugs that were being abused in the community and how it affects the community at large especially with the elderly.

The main prescription drugs of choice in First Nation communities are Oxycontents and Percocets. Hannah Myers provided useful information on how to identify a prescription drug user and the harmful side effects of prescription drug abuse. She also briefly discussed the success of the local Methadone Clinic that was establish in her community and the passion and dedication that she has to help her fellow community members.

In conclusion, the workshop was very educational and we plan on having more workshops related to this topic. The misuse of prescription drugs in First Nations communities is rising, we need to put a stop to this and look at all the options that are available to help our people.

List of Participants:

Balmertown
Constance Lake
Deer Lake
Muskrat Dam
Poplar Hill
Sandy Lake
Thunder Bay-KORI
Webequie