Back in April of 2019 a Pop-Up Coffee and Conversation was held and it was clear among members of the community, there is an issue with crystal meth in the city.

In June, several local organizations got together to form the Moose Jaw Crystal Meth Strategy Committee (MJCMSC) to fight the growing problem.

“It caught us a little bit off guard with the attendance and the interest that was generated,” said Supt. Devon Oleniuk of the Moose Jaw Police Service, who is the chair of the committee.

“We just had a couple of speakers from some different areas in Moose Jaw, from the emergency service area, where it was recognized that crystal meth is a significant issue in our community.”

The committee was brought together so that there was a strategic direction to address concerns that have come up at the Pop-Up Coffee and Conversation. They also felt the issue was shared ownership that needs the whole community involved to solve the problem.

The committee is made up of representatives following organizations:

  • Moose Jaw Police Services
  • RCMP, Moose Jaw District
  • Moose Jaw and District EMS
  • Saskatchewan Health Authority
  • Ministry of Social Services
  • Moose Jaw Transition House
  • Prairie South School Division
  • Holy Trinity Catholic School Division
  • Moose Jaw Literacy
  • Thunder Creek Rehabilitation Association
  • Moose Jaw City Council
  • Concerned citizens and persons with lived experience

The committee’s objective this year is focused on prevention and getting the word out about the dangers of crystal meth.

“It’s important that we identify those people who are more marginal in nature that perhaps are still in a position where they can make healthy choices and healthy decisions versus some of the people who are already committed to a lifestyle of depending on drugs,” said Oleniuk.

The committee has also been in contact with other counterparts from across Saskatchewan including Saskatoon’s Safe Community Action Alliance’s Crystal Meth Works Group.

Deputy Chief Angela Sereda from the Moose Jaw and District EMS said, as a frontline worker, she’s seen the among to crystal meth use on the rise over the last few years and wants to see the community aware of the resources available.

“Really it’s about bringing awareness about what is going on in the community and not hiding it, but bringing awareness to it that this is a concern and it all comes down to education,” she said.

She added that overdoses are nothing new to the community, however, Moose Jaw hasn’t seen a spike, unlike Regina.

Some of the resources available for those using crystal meth include Mental Health and Addictions Services and Harm Reduction Services, including the needle exchange and safer inhalation programs at the Crescent View Clinic.

The committee is in the process of holding a second Pop-Up Coffee and Conversation in April.