Pubdate: Thu, 11 May 2006 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2006 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: David Kuxhaus Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) CHIEF TAKES DRUG TESTS TO QUELL RUMOURS THE chief of Norway House has taken two drug tests in an effort to stamp out a whisper campaign that he is a drug user. Both tests came back negative, he reported to his band council in a memo. "I trust this puts an end to the false claims I am doing drugs..." Chief Marcel Balfour said in his memo, which included labratory results of the drug tests. In an interview, Balfour chalked up the allegations to "sour grapes" steming from his election in March, a particularly nasty campaign with Balfour narrowly defeating acting chief Fred Muskego by 40 votes. Over the last week, a petition has been circulating in the remote community calling for Balfour's resignation. It alleges that he is not supportive of the community's effort to fight drugs because he didn't back an anti-drug bylaw and employee drug testing policy put into place last summer and has refused to be tested for drugs. It's not clear who started the petition or how many signatures it has attracted. But Balfour said he hopes that taking the tests will put an end to any speculation he uses drugs. He added it was also done in response to a public challenge issued by Muskego last month to get tested. "I wanted to show people that I was not afraid of being tested for drugs but it doesn't meant I support the drug policy or bylaw," Balfour said. Muskego could not be reached for comment. Balfour was tested twice on May 3, once by Assure Lab Works, who do the testing for the band, and by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. Balfour said he got tested twice to remove any question as to the results. Rob Hawkins, of Assure Lab Works, said there is interest among four other First Nations to get involved in drug testing. He attributed part of that to growing drug problems in the north. Hawkins, who worked in Norway House as a pharmacist for the last 10 years, said the drug problem there has increased exponentially in the last four years "There's been a huge increase in crack cocaine and methamphetamines" said Hawkins. Norway House has about 5,000 members and is one of the largest reserves in the province. Their drug bylaw states that band members caught using or selling drugs could lose their homes or be cut off social assistance. The employee-testing policy applies to band workers, including elected officials. It says they can be ultimately fired for using drugs. It was felt that including elected officials was a way to lead by example. Balfour says he didn't support the drug bylaw and policy because it wasn't drafted in accordance with the Indian Act and could potentially violate Charter rights. Balfour said he's not opposed to some sort of drug bylaw, if that's what the people want, but said he doesn't believe it's the best way to go about fighting drugs. "Let's attack the underlying reasons why people are using drugs," said Balfour He said treatment programs and more activities for youth are needed along with hiring more band constables to go after dealers. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek