Fight Against Prescription Drug Abuse Continues

Fight Against Prescription Drug Abuse Continues

Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 12:40

The RCMP in Kamsack and Yorkton have helped establish working groups with several community partners to discourage pill trafficking and help people with addictions.

Yorkton RCMP Sgt. James Morton says meetings with community organizations were established shortly after a prescription drug ring was busted in January, resulting in charges for more than 20 individuals from the surrounding area — including a band chief.

Morton says it’s important to treat the addiction to decrease the demand for prescription drugs.

He says physicians in the area are also decreasing how much they prescribe when it comes to opiate drugs like morphine, therefore making access more difficult.

He adds that the number of people seeking help has increased, so the Saulteaux Healing and Wellness Center on the Cote First Nation is partnering with Health Canada and the Sunrise Health Region to help addicted clients.