Drugs dealing violence, death

A plague of drugs is fuelling deadly violence across northern Manitoba, Manitoba Keewatinook Ininew Okimowin Grand Chief David Harper said Monday.

"There's been a major wave of violence," Harper said in the wake of six homicides in the first three weeks of the year. "These drugs now, they're unforgiving.

"That's one of the biggest things -- people under the influence. Normal everyday people who are sober don't try to harm people."

The latest victim was 19-year-old Austin Monias of Cross Lake, who died early Sunday morning from injuries he sustained at a house party in the northern community. Monias was the nephew of elder Raymond Robinson, who is fasting in support of Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence.

"He's (Robinson) been affected big time. Luckily, we had some of our leadership there," Harper said.

"One thing we've been fighting for a long time is the lack of inspections of the highways for drugs reaching our communities. We need to mobilize law enforcement," the grand chief said.

Harper said First Nations need more help with security to stop drugs before they arrive on reserves.

Some bands have a ban on alcohol, and drugs are illegal everywhere, he noted.

"My staff met with Perimeter Airlines (Monday). You need checkstops to ensure drugs don't reach our communities and don't harm our people. There's a lot of drug involvement, influencing a lot of our young people.

"Crack cocaine is coming in, there's still ecstasy, and oxys (OxyContin)," Harper said.

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Drugs dealing violence, death