Outreach, education, safer supply: Hay River, N.W.T., looking for ways out of 'terrifying' drug crisis

Scott Clouthier acknowledges that his community of Hay River, N.W.T., is struggling right now, as it deals with an ongoing drug crisis and a recent rash of overdoses.

But Clouthier, the executive director of Hay River's youth centre, still feels "very optimistic" that the town will eventually find its way through.

He's seen the town deal with crisis before. Clouthier first moved to Hay River in 2007, arriving just days before the murder of RCMP Const. Christopher Worden. Clouthier recalled how the community responded after that tragedy, which was connected to the illicit drug trade.

"One thing that really struck me in that moment was how the community came together to say that this wasn't, you know, the type of community that we want to live in. This incident, this tragedy, wasn't going to define us," he said.

"So I feel like we still have the ability to come together and to heal ourselves from what's currently happening."

What's currently happening, according to many in Hay River, is a worsening drug crisis that has shaken the whole town, leaving them feeling unsafe, uncertain, and unable to simply wish it away.

Twenty-one people have overdosed on contaminated drugs in the community since Oct. 22, according to the director of health services at the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, and Dr. Kami Kandola, the territory's chief public health officer, issued a warning last week about a new “toxic and unpredictable mixture” of carfentanil, remifentanil, and cocaine that’s been detected in Hay River. 

According to Clouthier, "it's a really terrifying time to be in Hay River now, especially if you are someone who uses street drugs, or is close to someone who uses street drugs."

Brian Willows, a town councillor, agrees.

"There's a sense of fear and dread," Willows said.

"I mean, we're not just talking about the population that has addiction issues, the other concern is those who may be involved in recreational use."

Willows, who also chairs the town's healthy communities committee, described how an emergency official told him this week that one recent overdose victim required 16 doses of naloxone to recover consciousness. In the past, one dose would often be enough to reverse an overdose.

"So that just gives you an idea of the level of toxicity that is involved and the drugs that are on the street right at the moment," he said.

Both Willows and Clouthier — also part of the healthy communities committee — say it's time to talk seriously about safer supply strategies, though they acknowledge it's a contentious issue. Safer supply refers to providing prescribed medications as an alternative to people who struggle with addictions and are at high risk of overdose.