Heal Bell Island group launched to address drug addiction

A new group is looking to combat the problem of drug addiction on Bell Island, something a local mayor says is long overdue.

Wabana MayorGary Gosine told the St. John's Morning Showthe Heal Bell Island Facebookpagewas started by a former employee of the town, and others then got involved to try and address the growing problem of prescription drug addiction in the area.

"People are saying they're not putting up with it no more," Gosinesaid. "We're seeing a lot of people coming out now and asking for help, and as mayor of the town, if they're asking I had no other choice than to try and help."

Bringing together the community

Gosine saidthe Bell Island area is no different than any other location in the province when it comes to drug addiction, where peoplearehooked on opiates and other highly addictivenarcotics.

Regardless, he saida number of people on Bell Island have come to him recently looking for assistance, so he felt he hasa duty as mayor to try and create some support for those in need.

His plan is to bring together different community members such as pharmacists, police officers, addictions specialists and parents, totry and come up with a plan.

One of the main things he hopes Heal Bell Island can address is the growing stigma attached to being addicted to drugs.

"A lot of people are embarrassed to talk about it," he said. "The addict doesn't know which way to turn. We're just looking for help both for the families and the addict."