Indigenous Recovery Camp set for second summer

By Justin Sibbet - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on May 3, 2023.

An addictions recovery camp is aiming to open for the second successive summer in the Lethbridge area.
Organizers say the camp helped more than 40 people last year and they are hoping to see even more people turn up this time around.
According to Statistics Canada, nearly 35,000 Canadians died from an opioid overdose between 2016 and 2022.
Alvin Mills, the man leading this recovery camp, says the opioid crisis is growing every day and so everyone is welcome to the recovery camp, no matter their background.
However, with the camp located on Blood Tribe community land, they will focus on bringing traditional Blackfoot methods to the forefront of the recovery process.
“We use the Blackfoot culture to teach,” said Mills.
He says the relationship between the Blood Tribe and the municipal, provincial and federal government is paramount to the success of this battle.
“With truth and reconciliation, I still have hope that we strive to continue that journey,” said Mills.
He says the City of Lethbridge, in particular, has been instrumental in its support for this program, administering over $100,000 for the camp.
“It’s one of the positive things the city has come up with so far, in terms of fighting this opioid crisis,” said Mills.
However, Mills says the safe consumption site was a serious mistake that has only increased drug use and the subsequent fatalities that follow.
“The safe consumption site was a colossal failure. Now, we’re still feeling the after-effects of that,” said Mills.
The recovery camp is set up outside of the city, which Mills says will reduce the temptation to use drugs.
“Here in the city, there’s too many distractions,” said Mills.
He says the Blood Tribe is seeing more and more people coming to Lethbridge to use drugs every day.
“I see the numbers rising and also the ages are getting younger,” said Mills.
He also says the traditional Indigenous ceremonies in Lethbridge often become overshadowed by drug use.
“You try to have ceremonies, there’s face painting going on, but outside people are under their hoods having a hoot, smoking drugs,” said Mills.
He says his camp enforced drug screening last year and it will do so again this summer.
“The participants and staff (all) went through drug screening,” said Mills.
He says this is important because there are sometimes people providing support for drug addiction, even though they are also current drug users.
“The lines are getting blurred between the service providers and the [people seeking support]. Somebody is active and yet they’re trying to help,” said Mills.
Still, he says the program was successful last year and he hopes this year will show similar results, if not better.
“It made a difference, it was a pilot program. I believe where it was [located] is a plus right off the bat because it’s away from everywhere. There are no drug dealers hanging around,” said Mills.
The camp is set to begin on June 1 and continue until the end of August.
Mills says he is thankful for the support he has received from several individuals such as Richard Red Crow, Nadine Tail Feathers and others within the Blood Tribe government.

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