Inverness Organizer Says Drug Crisis Worsening Despite Community Efforts
Dwayne Beaton, who organized a January meeting on drug use in Inverness, reports that the situation has deteriorated due to a lack of follow-up from government and health authorities. While a committee formed to meet with Nova Scotia Health saw no further action, newly started Narcotics Anonymous meetings have had low attendance.
Dwayne Beaton, the organizer of a community meeting held in Inverness this past January regarding local drug use, states that the situation has worsened rather than improved since the event. Approximately 300 residents attended the initial gathering, but Beaton argues that little has been done to address addiction issues in the months following.
According to Beaton, a committee of concerned residents was formed to discuss options with Nova Scotia Health. However, he reports that there was no follow-up after that meeting. As a subsequent step, the committee initiated Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Inverness. Beaton noted that less than one percent of the people who attended the original town hall showed up to these new support sessions.
Beaton, who has been sober for more than a decade, claims that addiction support in the region has regressed compared to when he got sober almost 11 years ago. He believes elected officials, including Mental Health and Addictions Minister Brian Comer, should provide better resources to combat substance use. Minister Comer told CBC News that he would make himself available for an interview at a later date.
Inverness County Warden Bonny MacIsaac declined an interview but stated via email that she takes the issues seriously. She indicated that she shares concerns directly with the RCMP through her role on the Police Advisory Board.