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

Blood Tribe leaders say they're seeing fewer fentanyl overdoses 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 works on the reserve south of Calgary near 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 reserve — the largest in Canada by area — have 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, Tailfeathers says the fatal overdoses that have rocked the community in recent months have stopped,.

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

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

"I got really sick, 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 fentanyl two 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," said Blood Tribe Chief Charles Weasel Head.

This is going to take an incredible amount of commitment.- Blood Tribe Chief Charles Weasel Head

He says the band is working with nearby hospitals in Cardston and Lethbridge to see if they can set aside some hospital beds for 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 drug abuse 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 tackles the fentanyl crisis. 

"This is going to take an incredible amount of commitment." 

The conference continues in Lethbridge Tuesday.