Nunavik is facing several crises – that of housing, food security and public safety. Now the entry of strong illicit drugs creates one more. At the start of 2026, front-line responders in Nunavik reported the arrival of fentanyl on their territory. This observation is worrying for Pita Ataami, the president of Makivvik, the organization that represents the Inuit of Nunavik. “We find ourselves in an unfortunate situation where alcohol and hard drugs have taken over some, if not most, of our communities. There are still a lot of exemplary citizens, but there are also a lot of people who just drink and use hard drugs. » For 10 years, Sergeant Matthew Turner has worked for the Nunavik Police Service – or NPS. “The most common drug in the north is alcohol. I would say that next in line are cannabis, cocaine, shatter, amphetamines and crack. There are so many different types of drugs that have appeared in the north. » And when a new substance appears, it comes with new challenges. “So it’s very complicated, and it’s difficult to deal with, because it’s a new drug that’s emerging in the community, a drug that they’ve never seen or experienced before, and we don’t know how they’re going to react to it. » Salluit Mayor Maggie Q. Saviakjuk did not understand what was happening in her community. “At first, when I noticed that people were behaving strangely, I didn’t know where it was coming from. I thought they were just… I didn’t know what was going on. I heard from someone that they were taking hard drugs. » Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. “And I don’t really know how we could prevent it from coming from here,” adds the mayor. A growing problem is that many drugs contain traces of fentanyl. Stopping its arrival in the north is one of the missions of the new head of the Nunavik police department, Jean-François Bernier. “We are trying to fight against smuggling and the trafficking of narcotics, hard drugs that take lives. » According to the police, these narcotics come from within the community, but Sergeant Turner specifies that “often, drug traffickers from Montreal end up identifying local people and building up a network of people to whom they ship. » This creates yet another challenge, according to the mayor. “We therefore try to collaborate as best we can with the police and we report these facts. But that doesn’t really do much good, because we don’t see them selling these drugs to anyone. » Furthermore, Sergeant Turner suspects that since the legalization of cannabis, southern drug traffickers must find a new way to make a profit. “What is the best alternative? Speed pills, crack, cocaine… and they can sell them five times more than in Montreal. » So why not control drugs coming in by flight or boat? “There are so many packages and boxes sent to Nunavik that I don’t think they can check each one,” responds Sergeant Turner. Mr Ataami adds that in “summer, it is more difficult to ensure control, because different shipping companies stop in the region”, such as construction, delivery or infrastructure maintenance companies. Sergeant Matthew Turner in one of the rooms of the Salluit police station. However, adds Chief Bernier, these are small communities where everyone knows each other… “The police department should, technically, be buried in privileged information because everyone knows the traffickers and how they operate. » Unfortunately, the crisis of confidence that Nunavimiut have in the police service affects them at this level as well. “Even if we have an email address, [emailprotected]. It’s completely confidential. We tell people, create a Boboche hotmail account which is only used for that. Send us the information, we don’t need your name, we don’t need to call you back, we don’t need anything. Even that is quite difficult. We must constantly remind ourselves that this is what we are here for. » He adds: “it’s difficult to get information because people remain fearful of the police department’s ability to obtain good results. » Everything therefore complicates their work and perpetuates this crisis of confidence… A vicious circle which creates unfortunate situations for everyone, according to Sergeant Turner. “Talking with someone who is sober, versus someone who has used crack, cocaine or any other drug, makes the situation a little more tense. Everyone needs to be a little more careful. It can be very unpredictable at times. » As for him, Pita Ataami, does not see it as a solution as long as the community works together towards an ultimate goal – eliminating hard drugs in the community. “Unfortunately, this will remain the case until the community decides that we need to go further than what we are currently doing, because the community needs to show solidarity. » Continue Reading
Fentanyl is coming to Nunavik: a worrying reality
