In an effort to be proactive, council leaders are drafting bylaws to allow them to banish drug dealers. They won’t be allowed back into the reserve until they can prove they’ve earned the privilege to return.
“Should that happen, we will work on giving ultimatums to the person who is the offender,” Breaker said. “We want to say what is at the root of this, and let us help you — we want to look out for their well-being… Some may not want the help, [but] that’s their choice.”
Story continues below advertisement
Longtime Siksika member Farren Wolf Leg is a recovering addict who supports the initiative. Three of his own children are currently entrenched in drug abuse.
“People have to learn it’s a big problem,” Wolf Leg said. “I had to hit rock bottom — maybe that’s their rock bottom, [and] hopefully they learn from it if it does come to that.”