Blood Tribe enacts state of emergency over drug-related deaths

An illegal drug infiltrating the Blood Tribe in southern Alberta has prompted community leaders to call a state of emergency.

At least 10 deaths on the First Nationhave been linked to the street drugOxy 80, or fakeOxycodone. Thepill contains fentanyl a potentopioid-based pain killerthat has a high risk of overdose.

"It was a concern from not only our local physician, but also our community in general, " saidLanceTailfeatherswho sits on the band'scouncil."It was actually public outcry."

• Fentanyl overdoses spike among recreational drug users in B.C.

It's believed organized crime groups are pushing Oxy 80 in the area. The Blood Tribe has recently dedicated two full-time officers to drug and gang related investigations, officials say.

Thechief and council passed a resolution on Friday declaring a local state of emergency to draw attention to the situation and bring more services and support to the community, Tailfeathers said.

Council has already secured 47 kits containing Naloxone a medication used to counter Oxy 80 overdoses.

"There's a five-minute window to administer it, but you still have to get the person medical attention within about an hour," said Tailfeathers.

The First Nation plansto hand out the Naloxone kits strategically to families and patients in the community and eventually toschools.

Atiplineoxy@bloodtribepolice.com hasbeen set upfor reserve residents get information topoliceanonymously.

"Theseeffortshaveresultedinnumerouschargesandsignificantdisruptionofdrugactivityin thepasttwomonths," Blood Tribe police officials said in a release.

Bandcouncil ismeetingwith the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and the First Nations Inuit and Health Branch on Monday to discuss the next steps.