Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy - Chiefs of Ontario

Presented by: 

Chief Arthur Moore 

Constance Lake First Nation 

Chiefs of Ontario Health Forum 

Thursday, February 25 th , 2010 

Courtyard Marriot, Toronto , ON

Progressive and rapidly growing community of 

1,470 Members of Ojibway and Cree ancestry. 

Located on the shores of Constance Lake near 

Hearst, Ontario along Highway 11. 

An active community that encourages, supports 

and promotes local business, job creation and 

economic development as key to our success. 

Constance Lake First Nation reserve lands are 

7,686 acres (3,110 hectares) in size. 

Prescription Drug Abuse 

A Proactive Approach to Success 

Constance Lake First Nation

Recognition of a prescription drug addiction 

crisis as early as 2005. 

Destruction of family structure and well-being 

of social fabric in all areas. 

Criminal activity to support addictions 

Spousal Abuse and conflict 

Child neglect and abuse 

Drop in student attendance in school 

Deterioration of health and nutrition 

Behavioural problems, violence and overall 

community deterioration. 




Usage: 

53% of members abused drugs, prescription or otherwise. 

46% using prescription drugs 

39% using illegal or street drugs 

Contributing Factors: (survey response) 

19% - Lack of Employment 

16% - Past Emotional Trauma 

15% - Poor Parenting 

11% - Poor Living Conditions 

14% - Lack of after-school programs 

Other Factors identified were: lack of education, no role 

models, peer pressure and insufficient community activities. 




1. Recognition, admission and open disclosure of the problem 

and the need to take action ourselves. 

2. Establishment of an on-reserve methadone clinic in 2006 

in collaboration with our health centre. 

3. Methadone program provided to community members and 

open to others who wish to travel to Constance Lake. 

4. Instituted a weaning off program and counselling for 

patients on the program. 

5. Initiated strategic cooperation with local NAPS law 

enforcement and increased communication with 

Leadership. 

6. Implemented by-laws preventing unauthorized persons 

from entering reserve. 




1. Immediate decline in criminal activity, violence and theft. 

2. Family structure stabilized and under control. 

3. Persons on methadone program are capable of 

functioning normally and maintaining employment. 

4. Increase in student attendance and adult enrolment in 

schooling and training programs. 

5. Significant expertise gained by the First Nation while 

working with physicians and other professionals. 

6. Leadership recognized for taking action and not waiting 

for someone else to solve the problem. 

7. Enduring criticism for taking action. 




1. A person with an addiction needs your help. 

2. Action must be taken by Leadership. Do not wait. 

3. Treatment programs, such as methadone will produce 

immediate benefits however weaning off may take a long 

time. 

4. An effective addictions management program must include 

counselling, mental health programs and integration of all 

other local health services, including recreation, culture and 

social aspects during AND after weaning off. 

5. Economic development, job creation and own-source 

revenue streams must be made a priority to offset the lack 

of hope, depression, social ills and other root causes of 

addictions. The community must have a vision. 

6. Choose your community doctor(s) carefully. Your people’s 

lives will be in their hands. 




1. Signing of an Addictions Management Agreement 

with new doctors which outlines the service being 

provided, a more effective methadone management 

program, with enhanced communications protocol 

between the health centre and Leadership and 

reporting. 

2. Engagement of new Health Administrator with 

addictions counselling and management experience 

and training. 

3. Careful selection of committed individuals to form a 

Health Committee who will provide constructive and 

affirmative recommendations for improvement. 




4. Movement towards accreditation of community 

Health Centre by summer of 2010 through 

Accreditation Canada. 

5. Further integration of health, social, recreation 

and cultural programs into addictions 

management model. 

6. Feasibility study under way and business plan for 

the establishment of a regional Northern Ontario 

treatment and wellness centre for addictions at 

Eagles Earth cultural centre. 




7. Implement and maintain aftercare programs 

for persons who have been weaned off. 

8. Develop and implement counselling and support 

programs for affected family members living with 

a person who has an addiction or who has 

recently been weaned off. They need help as well. 

9. Deliver more in-school and after school 

educational and motivational programs for youth 

and adults to learn and be more aware of 

addiction issues that may affect them or others. 




1. Conduct a situation analysis of your community 

and obtain accurate facts and statistical data. Do 

not work on assumptions. 

2. Develop a plan with measureable goals, timelines 

and objectives and assign people to specific 

components of the plan. 

3. Meet on a regular basis with your health team, 

doctors, nurses and counselors. Be an active 

participant. 

4. Communicate and share information openly, 

honestly and regularly with your Membership. 




‣ The Constance Lake Model can work for you. 

‣ Leadership must be committed, involved and 

actively participating in the plan. 

‣ Ensure that you have good governance, a strong 

organizational structure and assign your best 

people to the task. 

‣ If you have a problem then you should openly 

admit and communicate that you have a problem 

and are willing to take action. Do not wait. 

Nothing will change if we do not change. 





A Proactive Approach for Success 

Presented by: 

Chief Arthur Moore 

Constance Lake First Nation 

http://clfn.on.ca

Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy - Chiefs of Ontario

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