Dakota Tipi First nation wages hard-hitting war on drugs – PortageOnline

Nov 09 2023

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Dakota Tipi First Nation is waging the war against drugs. A drug task force has been implemented, and they have three safety officers trained and at work. A board has been formed and members say drug use has gotten out of control in the community and they’re set to hit the issue hard.

Board member Diane Smoke says she’s a grassroots person and notes Dakota Tipi First Nation youth are dying before their eyes.

“As an elder, it hurts to see that happening,” says Smoke. “We have personal experiences and things going on at home, too. But what can we do? Where do we turn? I turned to the Chief and this is where we’re starting.”

Smoke explains thiegeneral public isn’t hearing much about the current drug problem, and as older members of the community, it’s a new kind of addiction.