For the first time in Saskatchewan, a newly elected First Nation band council has voluntarily undertaken drug and alcohol tests, in a bid to tackle social issues in the community head-on. Elsewhere in Saskatchewan, drug testing will be mandatory for candidates vying for council seats at the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation in March. Alcohol abuse an issueFiddler said addiction services are available at the Waterhen Lake First Nation's health clinic, and a counsellor is based at the local school to work with students. However, alcohol abuse continues to be an issue, said Fiddler, who added that the First Nation could use more funding for addiction services. The Waterhen Lake First Nation, located just north of Meadow Lake, has a total membership of more than 2,000 people and an on-reserve population of 1,150.

Source: CBC News February 10, 2017 23:03 UTC