Eskasoni to drug dealers: No jobs, housing

The Eskasoni First Nation in Cape Breton is promising to blacklist anyone charged with drug trafficking in an attempt to crack down on the community's drug problem.

It's a big stick in a place where the band controls 400 jobs in the community of 3,200 people.

"Know that if you are charged you will lose certain privileges in our community like employment, as well as all future housing, any monies coming from gaming, tobacco or fisheries," said Jaime Battiste, a band adviser.

The RCMP is to give the band the name of anyone charged with drug trafficking. Once someone is on the list, Battiste said the band will apply for a court order to remove that person from their home, if necessary.

"What we're basically telling the people is you have to act within Mi'kmaq order and the way we have done so for years. And if you are going to do things that are harmful to our community, then there will be consequences," he said.

Eskasoni has faced five suicides since December and a number of drug overdoses in the past few years. A community survey identified drug trafficking as the No. 1 issue.

Priscilla Gould, a member of Parents Against Drugs, hopes drug dealers take notice of the new band policy.

"These people don't realize that it is our children that they're hurting. And now that the policy has come to effect, I think they will think twice," said Gould, a mother and foster parent.

Battiste dismisses the suggestion that punishing people before they're convicted violates their rights.

"The justice system drags on forever. We know that there are things going on in our community. Everyone in the community knows. The cops know. Everyone has an idea. It's just the justice system getting it taken care of in time," he said.

Battiste said people convicted of drug trafficking can request to have their band privileges reinstated after two years if they have reformed and undergone drug treatment.