First Nation in N.S. says it’s declaring a state of emergency due to illicit drugs

A First Nation in Nova Scotia says it is declaring a state of emergency over what its chief and council are calling an escalating crisis of addiction and illicit drugs in the community.

Sipekne’katik First Nation says in a statement its council moved to begin the process of declaring a state of emergency during a meeting Sunday as the community deals with too many overdoses and tragedies.

It did not provide details of how a state of emergency declaration would be applied.

The First Nation about 60 kilometres north of Halifax says it has notified the RCMP that it will be supporting a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people selling illicit drugs in the community, including cocaine and illegally distributed prescription drugs.

The First Nation also says it would be enforcing its housing policy, which allows it to evict residents from their housing units if there is reasonable suspicion that a home is being used for the sale or distribution of illicit drugs.

The statement from Chief Michelle Glasgow and her council says these actions are not aimed at those who are struggling with addiction, instead they are meant to target those who profit from addiction and bring illicit drugs into the community.

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Glasgow did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The statement says further information will be shared as decisions related to the state of emergency are finalized.