First of all I would like to give thanks to our Creator for the many blessing bestowed upon us in our lives. Last month Chief and all Council participated in mandatory drug testing, this process is not new, it was started in Chief Victor Buffalo and Chief Marvin Yellowbird’s terms in office, as a way to ensure we address the problems that we have within the community and that we as leaders
show ‘by example’. We also had some staff and senior management volunteer to be tested, and I am very pleased to announce that everyone’s results came back negative for substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol have been an ever increasing problem for decades and is affecting not only our community as a whole, but our families and the development of our children. The numbers are astounding when you look at children in care and children being born with substance abuse related health issues such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) and Prenatal Cocaine Exposure. Drugs and alcohol affect our housing as well, when homesare being abused and used as drug dens usually resulting in the destruction of the family and home. Drug and alcohol abuse are not just limited to the unemployed, it affects our nation employees as well, and our community as a whole. If we are to get past these drug and gang related issues and substance abuse problems that continue to plague our community, we must stand together and find solutions to deal with these problems collectively. It’s often being said that it takes a community to raise a child and this drug
testing is a small step in the right direction of one and of many to come. As we move into the spring season, it’s about new beginnings and rebirth and as Nehwiyahwak we always think about our families and what we can do as a communal family to ensure that our children have a bright future.
Ay hay,
Chief Kurt Buffalo
Samson Cree Nation
