Martin Falls deals with epidemic of prescription drug addictions

With a quarter of its tiny population hooked on prescription painkillers, Marten Falls First Nation has decided to embark on a costly but proven method to get addicts free and clear.

Starting October 3rd, about 60 affected residents of the Northern First Nation will take part in a 3-phase program to substitute their addiction to Oxycodone and other addictive pills with controlled doses of Suboxone.

A team of health professionals will taper the drug over 30 days until clients can be taken off completely or continue on short-term, low-dose maintenance.

Drug and alcohol counsellor Liza Moonias says painkiller abuse on the reserve, 500-kilometres north of Thunder Bay, started to become a serious problem about 5-years ago.

She says 20-per cent of the reserve's adult population has since become addicted.

Greenstone lobbies for Ring of Fire Smelter

The Municipality of Greenstone feels it now has a leg up in attracting a Ring of Fire refinery.

Consultant George Smitherman says his study shows that the Town of Exton should be the top choice for Cliffs Natural Resources when it makes a decision on a smelter location

Cliffs hopes to make a decision by the end of the year.

Rainy River Resources Strikes Nickle

There's gold - now there appears to be nickel at Rainy River Resources gold project south of Kenora.
The company says it recently found what it believes to be a new nickel deposit.

Further exploration is planned to better define the size of the discovery.

OPP investigate Weagamow fire

Sioux Lookout OPP and Weagamow Lake First Nation Police are investigating a major fire.

Police received a report on MOnday that a winter road check point building had been burned.

OPP believe the structure may have been burned intentionally.

Police say the building was a North Caribou Band Office security trailer.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Three drug busts in Rainy River District

Three people in the Rainy River district will make future court appearances on drug charges.

A 60-year-old Fort Frances man was charged after O-P-P seized 3-thousand dollars worth of marijuana plants from a home in late August.

A week later, a marijuana grow operation was discovered in Barwick where police seized plants and dry marijuana, valued at over 23-thousand dollars.

A 47-year-old man was charged.

A day later a 44-year-old woman from Couchiching First Nation was charged after police stopped a vehicle and found 41-hundred dollars worth of cocaine inside.

Portraits of Honor Coming to Kenora

A national tribute to soldiers who have died during the Afghan mission will be making its way to Kenora after all.

A couple of local residents have been lobbying for the truck to stop in the city on its cross-country tour.

George Storm and Carole Davis have been spear-heading the effort.

The Portraits of Honor carvan will also be stopping in Vermillion Bay next week.

NOMA

The Vice President of NOMA has a sneaking suspicion the Northern Ontario Leaders Debate will draw Premier McGuinty.

Dave Canfield says even though the Premier has said he can't attend; he might find a way in the end.

Canfield feels any Premier needs to be engaged with the region since we have all of the resources.

OFIA

Northwestern Ontario's Forest Industry could make a come back.


That's according to Ontario Forest Industry Association Spokesperson Scott Jackson.

The O-F-I-A wants a promise from each provincial party that if they win the election; they'll scrap policies that create red tape for the industry.

Ontario Mining Association

The President of the Ontario Mining Association is predicting the current mining boom only has a 20 year shelf life.


Chris Hodgson says we need to strike while the iron is hot.

Hodgson adds in order for the region to provide a solid workforce more women need to consider careers in mining.

MS Kenora

The M-S Kenora will continue to be a landmark on the Harborfront.


The owners of the tour boat have announced that they will continue to operate on Lake of the Woods, after threatening to move last year.

Owner, Al Luby admits its been a difficult couple of years but they hope to provide more services next year, including daily trips to Coney Island.