Community gains control over prescription drug abuse

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When Constable Stephen Gloade observed the violence and injury to residents in two Mi'kmaq communities near his detachment because of widespread misuse of prescription drugs, and the pills that were making their way into the schools and into the hands of young children, he knew drastic action was needed immediately.

Gloade and Aboriginal community health nurse Margie Pelletier both felt the problem did not need to be contained. It needed to be wiped out.

Because of his efforts, Gloade was awarded the Nechi Medal of Distinction at a banquet hosted during National Drug Addictions Awareness week in Edmonton last November. The award honors individuals, agencies, and communities who have had a positive impact on addiction awareness and healing through their "tireless strength, initiative and devotion to keeping the circle strong."

Gloade worked with two Mi'kmaq First Nations to combat the substance abuse and violence that plagued their communities. As a result of the success of the initiative, similar programs have been established in other areas of Canada.

Gloade has been stationed at Baddeck Detachment since April 1996. Baddeck (pop. 1064) is one of the largest communities on the Bras d'Or Lakes watershed on Cape Breton Island. It is located about 350 kilometres northeast of Halifax. The detachment polices Wagmatcook First Nation (pop. 558), and the outlying area.

By calling together the community doctors, medical service advisors, pharmacists, addictions and drug counselors, and police officers, Gloade got them to focus on the misuse of prescription drugs. The group met for the first time in February 1997 at the Victoria County Memorial Hospital in Baddeck.

The strategy brought dramatic results. By June of 1997, after the first meeting on prescription drug misuse, the sale of prescription pills in Wagmatcook had declined 90 to 95 per cent. What's more, between April and December 1997, arrests by members of Baddeck Detachment dropped to 110 persons, down from 174 during the same period in 1996. Forty -three of those arrested in 1997 were Wagmatcook band members, down from 113 the previous year. In 1998, the total was 120 persons, only 42 of which were Wagmatcook band members arrested on the Wagmatcook community.

Health Canada statistics show that, between 1996 and 1999, the two prescription drug users in Wagmatcook obtained some 40,000 fewer pills, or an average of 18.5 fewer prescriptions yearly each, assuming dosage of one pill per day. This means that some 40,000 pills did not reach the community.

Gloade acknowledges that the contribution of Health Canada, which also helped produce an exceptional video on the Baddeck experience.

"If not for them taking special interest in our group, it would never have reached the level it has today," he said. "There is no secret formula or special magic to what we helped accomplish. It's all due to everyone sharing the same goal and keeping the protection of our children in mind."

Gloade's strategy has captured the attention of the health community, addiction counselors and enforcement officers elsewhere. The Indian Brook Detachment in Shubenacadie, about 55 kilometres north of Halifax, called Gloade for information after hearing about his prescription drug misuse strategy. Indian Brook is attempting a meeting in their community following the same structure as the one held in Baddeck. Gloade has also traveled to British Columbia and Quebec to give presentations on his program.

Glaode's plan recommended the following course of action:

oDoctors would prescribe medication for five days instead of 30, to help prevent users from selling the drugs or taking too many.

oThe Wagmatcook band council would provide a medical taxi to its First Nation's people.

oPharmacists would look for signs of double doctoring.

oDrug and alcohol counselors working out of the Wagmatcook band office would identify drug addicts and provide counseling.

oThe RCMP would continue to enforce the la while helping school age children learn about the dangers of drugs through various drug-related lectures with drug and alcohol counselors.