N.W.T. leaders, health officials look to protect youth amid ongoing drug crisis [Video]

The Dene National chief, N.W.T.’s chief public health officer, and organizations serving vulnerable youth say education is one piece of the puzzle to address drug-related harm in the territory. 

At a Dene Nation meeting next week, leaders are looking to hatch a plan to address drug violence and overdoses, with things like Indigenous-led policing and a expert task force on drugs. 

“We are beyond telling our stories. Now it’s time to formalize a tangible, concrete plan,” said Dene National Chief George Mackenzie.

While road-access communities are most vulnerable, communities that are fly-in only have a “very limited” RCMP presence, he said.

“We gotta talk about native policing as the way to go,” he said. 

Mackenzie said people with addictions often are caught up in the child and family services system. 

“Our own people are drug-dealing, damaging our own people’s kids. It’s very delicate. But they are our own people. We …