Lambton OPP officials say in July 2021 the Walpole Island First Nation (WIFN) Chief and Council declared a State of Emergency in response to a drug epidemic.
The community has seen a rise in illicit drug use and overdoses in the recent months.
Officers from both the Walpole Island Police Service (WIPS) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are committed to making Walpole Island First Nation a safe community for all, OPP officials say.
Members within the community should expect to see a greater police presence, both day and night, in efforts to combat the trafficking and use of illegal substances.
A call has been put out to community members from the WIPS Chief of Police, asking for their assistance.
“Policing a community cannot be done by police alone… we need your help,” said Chad Jacobs, Chief of Police for the Walpole Island Police Service, in a media release.
“Working together is the only way for us to clean up our community’s drug problems and without the help of the public and our community members we will be faced with a losing battle. We cannot allow this to happen.”
