The devastation caused by fentanyl dominates the provincial headlines on almost a daily basis.
And now the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council is sounding the alarm over the 15 to 20 deaths linked to the opioid in the last six months in the vast region from Enderby to the south Cariboo.
And what should never be dismissed is that those overdosing or dying from the drug are children, spouses, parents, co-workers and friends.
“Each person is attached to a family and children, and they are part of our family,” said Wayne Christian, Splatsin chief and Shuswap Nation Tribal Council chief.
The SNTC is trying to empower its members to take action against fentanyl.
“We’re trying to encourage our people to educate themselves. People need to know what to do,” said Christian of administering Naloxone and providing support to those addicted.
“Addictions do not discriminate and this fentanyl crisis is deadly as it takes live regardless of age and with only one time use. Get educated on how to prevent this from killing your loved ones.”
And that is sound advice for native and non-native communities.
As the number of overdoses climbs, we all need to work together no matter our cultural backgrounds.
This crisis can bring us together in solidarity.
