March 5, 2024
Health officials are working with First Nation that declared a state of emergency following the deaths of 11 of its members, many of them youths, in the past two months, premier says.
Premier David Eby says health officials are working with Port Hardy and the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations in the wake of 11 drug-and-alcohol related deaths.
“My understanding is that Island Health is in conversations with the nation about that, and that the First Nations Health Authority has also been responsive to this concern brought forward by the nation, and we’re going to make sure that that work continues and that it results in supports on the ground.”
Last Monday, the 1,100-member Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations declared a state of emergency for the reserve following the deaths of 11 of its members, many of them youths, in the past two months, in part because of toxic drugs.