M. McKinnon

People Against Illicit Narcotics (PAIN) have collected over 1,300 signatures on a petition calling for addiction treatment facilities for youth in the Rainy River District. Now, they will take their appeal to politicians - both the sitting Liberal government, and the candidates in the upcoming election.

“There is a great lack of services - absolutely no resources out there - and parents don’t know where to turn,” said Sharon Strachan, who asked Council Monday for a letter supporting the call. (Council agreed to provide the letter.)

The group, which has been meeting for several months in Fort Frances, will hold its first Atikokan meeting during the first week of October. (The date will be announced shortly; the meeting will be held at the ANFC.) The group includes reps from the Substance Abuse Prevention program, the OPP, First Nation Police, Riverside Health Care Counselling, and the health unit, as well as a number of pharmacists and community members directly touched by the problem.

Strachan and Pauline Perrault, chair and vice-chair of the group, said PAIN was seeking a treatment facility and aftercare counseling services for children under 16 years who have gotten caught up in the drug world. The number of young people using prescription pain killers and drugs like crystal methamphetamine is one the rise in the region, and it is next to impossible to get immediate help for them.

“There is nothing around for children under 16,” said Perrault. “If you do manage to find something, it’s going to take six months or a year to get in.”

Asked where in the district such a facility would be located, Strachan said it didn’t matter.

“Wherever the district decides to put it. If we manage to get a facility, it matters not to us where it is located.”

In addition to working to bring the needed services here, the group has called for increased police efforts to tackle the issue. It also offers direct assistance to parents and other relatives and care givers of youth who have fallen victim to addiction.

“We meet monthly to strategize on ways to promote awareness and assist parents who are dealing with their youth and addictions,” said Strachan.