Blood Tribe fentanyl deaths down, but addictive painkiller still a problem

Blood Tribe leaders say they're seeing fewer fentanyloverdoses on the reserve in southern Alberta,but the highly addictive painkiller is still a problem.

Hundreds turned out to a conference in the community of Standoff, home of the Blood tribe, where physicians, celebrities, therapists and authors gathered to tackle drug abuse and addiction, as well as healing.

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"It's hell for the people who are addicted to the Oxy 80 or the fentanyl," said Dr. Esther Tailfeathers, a physician who workson the reservesouth of Calgarynear Lethbridge.

"Most of the people that are currently addicted had no idea it was this bad," she said.

Fenatanyl is a highly addictive opioid,often passed off by dealers as OxyContin. Eighteen to 20 people on the Blood reservethe largest in Canada by areahave died from fentanyl overdoses since July.

A local clinic has been dispensing Suboxone, which can help addicts with withdrawal symptoms.

While it's "hell"for patients to get off fentanyl, Tailfeatherssaysthe fatal overdoses that have rocked the community in recent months have stopped,.

There's still a lot of use in the community, butpolice have cracked down on the dealers, she says.

People are also more aware of the dangers offentanyl and the addictive nature of the drug.

"I gotreallysick, where I just wanted to stay inside. The only time I came outside was to look for a fix," said Amelia Scout,a 25-year-old mother of a two-year-old boy.

Scout was able to stop using fentanyltwo weeks ago with the help of Suboxone, after being hooked for a year and a half.

"It's hard to get off of them. There's still people around here doing them," she said.

Now Scout takes walks and is more active and able to sleep, she says.

More detox beds needed

"We do know a lot of people will have to undergo detox for treatment," saidBlood Tribe ChiefCharlesWeasel Head.

Thisisgoing to take an incredible amount of commitment.-Blood Tribe ChiefCharlesWeasel Head

He says the band is working with nearby hospitals inCardston and Lethbridge to see if they can set aside somehospital bedsfor people who want to detox.

"We also have had contact with detox centres both in Calgary and Edmonton and we're in discussions with them, if they can free some beds for ready-made access," said Weasel Head.

Many at the Healing Journey conference spoke about drugabuse as one the dark legacies of residential schools.

"We are still experiencing the fallout the disconnect of individuals from their families,"said Weasel Head, who spent 11 years in a residential school.

The chief sees a long road ahead for his community as it tacklesthe fentanyl crisis.

"Thisisgoing to take an incredible amount of commitment."

The conference continues in LethbridgeTuesday.