B.C. band to drug-test chief, councillors, staff

Fearful of B.C.sdeadly fentanyl epidemic and eager for sober guidance, a northernFirst Nation wantsitschief, band councillorsand 120 band employees and contractorsto pass drugtests.

"These people are working for the Nation," said Lake Babine Nation Chief Wilf Adam in Burns Lake."Their minds have to be clear to make the proper judgments and decisions."

'Their minds have to be clear'

As chief of the 2,500 member First Nation spread over several communities, Adam said he'll be first in line to get tested.

"This is one way of making sure the drugs ... don't take over the community," he said, noting Lake Babine'ssubstance abuseproblems arenot unique.

"We keep hearing the word, 'fentanyl.' It's a big city problem, but it's coming to a rural community like ours," said Adam.

Adam saidthe tests will be voluntary, not mandatory,to comply with the law. But he said testing will be ongoing and community members will bewatching closely.

Drugtests will be 'voluntary'

"If the members can look at who got tested and who didn't, they can make their own judgment," he said.

Adam says those who test positive will have to go to rehab or losetheir jobs. It's the best way, he said, to keep the community safe.

These people are working for the Nation. Their minds have to be clear to make the proper judgments and decisions- Lake Babine Nation Chief Wilf Adam

Althoughsome have complained thetest wouldviolate theirrights, Adam saidhe has the support of bandcouncil and his community.

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association said it's a unique approachbut problematic even as a voluntary initiative.

'Highly invasive'

"I have never heard of any such thing before,"said BCCLA policy director Micheal Vonn.

"You are collecting biological and biographical information that is very personal,"said Vonn. "It's a highly invasive form of policing a person."

Vonn said it's sensible to want leaders and staff to be clear-headedbut "it's quite a leap from that to institute a program of widespread drug ... screening that's a means to achieve integrity."