The Inverness Oran

-by Beverley Phillips

                An estimated 300 people filled the Inverness Volunteer Fire Department hall last Wednesday night to discuss how to tackle the growing drug problem in the community.

                Dwayne Beaton and Blaine Cathcart organized and chaired the meeting. Both have personal experience with addictions. Beaton is 10 years sober, and Cathcart has been in recovery for eight years.

                Cathcart read a story about a man he called Bill that encapsulated why this meeting was necessary. Bill had a drug problem and became suicidal. After a few days in the hospital, Bill was deemed no longer at risk, but had nowhere to go. He left the hospital and was soon back to how he started, and a desperate family took him to another province for care. “Where is humanity in all of this?” Cathcart read. “One decision on this side of healthcare, or lack thereof, can be the deciding factor on who is living and dying outside. People are dying from this disinterest. My friend hasn't slept since he came out of his self-induced coma. He's been dismissed and rejected from a barely beating system. He is loved dearly and is fortunate that he has a family that can drop their own lives and whisk him halfway across this country in a desperate effort to help him.”

                Cathcart concluded by sharing a bit of his own story on rebuilding his life after an addiction. “There is hope, and I’m proof of it,” he said.

                Beaton said it was the overnight detox program at Strait Richmond that saved his life, but that program has since been cut.

                Invited speakers from healthcare, the RCMP, and local elected officials, MLA Kyle MacQuarrie and MP Jaime Battiste, all offered their support and shared what they had to offer.

                Battiste said he can identify with what the community is going through. He was an advisor to the chief in Eskasoni 16 years ago when there was a suicide crisis. They set up a crisis centre that was only supposed to be there for 72 hours, but has been open ever since. Battiste said he’s ready to help and work with MLA MacQuarrie any way he can. He also suggested that if they want advice in establishing a crisis centre, they should call Eskasoni, which would be more than willing to help.

                The heart of the meaning came when the mic was opened to the floor. The full house heard from both recovered addicts and family members of addicts. They spoke about the gaps in the care they experienced. They noted how they or their loved ones have been in and out of care, and how, even if they could get access to detox, they still needed access to rehab afterwards, but didn’t get it. One speaker compared the situation to a leg injury. “There’s rehab after a leg injury; those with addictions need rehab for their minds,” she said.

                While Nadine Wadden, director of mental health and addictions, had spoken about the outpatient care that is available, those who have needed help said it has not been meeting their needs.

                “It’s easy to stand here and say there’s help, but the province does not have what we need right now,” said one speaker who spoke of her daughter who needed help.

                According to another meeting attendee, part of the journey following detox should be a program like AA. “People can go to programs,” he said, “but you can’t live in detox; you have to leave.” Thirty-seven years ago, he started going to AA, and he still goes to meetings four times a week. “The only way I stay sober is by talking to other addicts,” he said. “It still works, and I still take it one day at a time. You can’t stay sober without meetings.”

                But not everyone becomes an addict, though they use drugs on occasion. One mother spoke about her son, a young man with a promising future, who died at the age of 19 from drugs. “We need to look for harm reduction strategies,” she said. “These drugs are here and aren’t going anywhere. We need better ways to do things because what we’re doing isn’t adequate.”

                On everyone’s mind was what the solutions were. There were offers of volunteering time to help the situation, and others who said that drug dealers should be going to jail.

                Doug Hill brought up the risk factors of addiction, including personality, family history, and poverty. Those issues need to be addressed, and he suggested we should look at what we can do in the community. Action could include, he suggested, forming support groups for teens and families, and looking at how we can reduce barriers and get youth more involved in music, the trades, fitness centres, and therapeutic approaches, like horse therapy.

                Following the meeting. Beaton said the turnout was overwhelming, and he was glad that people kept positive. “What we do next is important,” he said. He plans to continue to lobby the government to reopen the detox centre in Strait Richmond, and thought getting a facility in the area was a great idea. He also noted, “It’s important that we do not criminalize the disease, but help the addicts, if we can.”

                Cathcart was also feeling positive about how the evening went. “I am super encouraged by the turnout and the temperature of the meeting. We now have community agencies that have stepped up and recognized the issue. Police, elected officials, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and community members. The next logical step to me is to form a committee to hold all these people accountable going forward. I hope that Dwayne and I get the opportunity to sit down with mental health and addiction in a closed meeting sooner rather than later. It was a great starting point; now we need to hold feet to the fire.”

                Inverness County Warden Bonny MacIsaac said in a statement, “I was pleased to see so many members of the community attend and share thoughtful feedback in a respectful and constructive manner. The municipality will follow up with the local Member of Parliament, Jaime Battiste, to learn more about his suggestion for an addiction recovery centre and will support and advocate where appropriate at the municipal level.”

                RCMP officer Sergeant Lance Wood said he was thrilled to see so many people come out for the meeting. “It shows the community cares,” he said. When he spoke earlier in the evening, he encouraged people to report things when they see them happening and to stay away from rumours and vigilante actions. “Even if you aren’t seeing immediate results, there are things happening behind the scenes,” he said. He also mentioned the RCMP isn’t just there for law enforcement, but that they could point people to resources.

                Local healthcare workers spoke throughout the evening about resources available locally. Freeman’s pharmacist, Martin McKinnon, said they have programs to help that they didn’t have before, and they, too, can help point people in the right direction.

                In terms of accessing medical help now, Dr Jasmine Lowry told the room that the ER is open 24 /7. “We don’t turn people away,” she said. “People are welcome, and we are here to help. It’s not ideal, but it is here. And, if you need follow-up and don’t know where to go, we will try to help.”

                Mental health nurse Charlene Murphy recognized that navigating the system isn’t easy and asked people to call her office at 902-258-1911 for help, and that a doctor’s referral isn’t necessary.

                To learn more about mental health and addictions services online: MHAhelpNS.ca

Recovery Support Program Strait Richmond Hospital: 902-625-3230

Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service: 1-855-922-1122

Peer support phone line: 1-800-307-1686 (for non-crisis service)

Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis line: 1-888-429-8167

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text to connect 686868

                For a listing of local AA meetings, see the community bulletin board on page 14.

-by Bill Dunphy

                It was only fitting that the house Billy Joe built would be the site of the first Billy Joe MacLean Memorial U13 AAA hockey tournament.

                The Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre was bustling this weekend as the Cape Breton West Islanders hosted the inaugural four-team tournament.

                Born and raised in Port Hawkesbury, Billy Joe served as a member of the legislative assembly, a member of the provincial cabinet, and as mayor of Port Hawkesbury.

                Throughout his career, he worked tirelessly to advance opportunities for the people of his hometown and the surrounding communities.

                Several members of Billy Joe’s family were on hand for the opening ceremony on Friday, including Glenda, his wife of 63 years before he passed away last year on April 23.

                Joining her at centre ice were three of her sons: Bill, Paul and Charles, and his wife Natalie. Charles’ son Zach and his partner Janelle were also in attendance.

                Tournament organizer Rodney MacDonald gave opening remarks and Glenda then dropped the puck with all four team captains there to take the draw.

                “We were really touched that Rodney asked us if we would mind putting dad’s name on the tournament,” said Bill MacLean.

                “Mom was really pleased and enjoyed the evening. She looked at that puck for a couple of hours after that.”

                MacLean, who works for  TD Wealth and was one of the tournament sponsors, added, “It was so nice for this tournament to be held at the Civic Center, a place that dad loved and was very proud of.”

                Other sponsors included: Paul and Lee-Ann MacLean, the Town of Port Hawkesbury, Maple Signs and Engraving, and Tim Horton’s.

                The tournament was held over three days, with the Chebucto Atlantics defeating the Glace Bay Miners 5-3 in Sunday’s final.

                The first game of the tournament featured the host Islanders taking on Chebucto.

                The Islanders held their own through the first two periods, skating to a 1-1 tie after the first.

                Lucas Hebb scored for the Islanders, tipping a point shot by defenceman Danny MacDonald, on a feed from Landon Morell.

                However, back-to-back powerplay goals by Chebucto in the third led to the visitors winning 6-1.

                Jace Poirier was named the Islanders player of the game. Brady LeBlanc was between the pipes.

                Game two saw the Glace Bay Miners defeat the Antigonish Bulldogs 5-2.

                The Miners followed that with a 3-2 win over Chebucto.

                In the fourth game of the tourney, the Islanders played the Miners to a 3-3 tie.

                Angus MacDonald scored on a play with Théo Chiasson to put the Islanders up 1-0 after the first.

                Jake MacDonald made it 2-0 early in the second, assisted by Danny MacDonald.

                The Miners got on the board midway through the second and tied it at 5:52 of the third period.

                Twenty-one seconds later, Angus MacDonald scored his second of the game to give the Islanders the lead back, assisted by Callum MacLellan and Chiasson.

                But Glace Bay scored a powerplay goal at 6:47 and the 3-3 tie held.

                Rylan LeBlanc was in goal for the Islanders. Angus MacDonald was the player of the game.

                Game five saw the Bulldogs defeat Chebucto 6-3. Antigonish, however, was unavailable to play the remainder of the tournament. This set up a crossover game between Chebucto and Cape Breton West, with the winner advancing to the final against Glace Bay.

                The Islanders gave it their best shot, losing a close 5-3 game.

                Scoring for the Islanders, all on the powerplay, were: Danny MacDonald (Morell);

Jake MacDonald (Danny MacDonald); and Morell (Jake MacDonald and Bryden Poulette).

                Landon Morell was the Islanders player of the game. Rylan LeBlanc was in goal.

-by Beverley Phillips

                If you’re looking for an activity for the winter, but don’t like the cold, archery in Margaree may be just the thing.

                The Bras d’Or Archers Association has returned to the Cranton Cross Road Community Centre for the winter, and on Saturday, they held a “Try It for a Toonie” event.

                The archery program will run most Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. until April 11^th. Due to events previously booked, they will not be there on January 24^th, February 14^th, or March 21^st.

                From May to October, they operate out of the Baddeck Curling Club with shoots three nights a week. As they use the curling club, they need to leave once the ice goes in. Three years ago, Lydia Babin of the community centre called and asked if they wanted to try it in their gym for the winter months. That first winter, over 100 people came out to try the sport.

                Club president Adam Pemberton said they are grateful for facilities like these that help keep the club going.

                Stephen Kerr is the secretary, treasurer, and founding member of the club. When he retired in 2013, he was looking for something to do and tried archery in Sydney. He enjoyed it, but there always seemed to be a storm on the night of their shoot, and he decided a club was needed on this side of the island. “I called a meeting about starting one,” he said, “and 14 people showed up with the equipment.”

                And it’s been going ever since.

                Archery has become part of the high-school physical education program, and Kerr says that there is a long list of proven benefits that go with it. Young people who engage in the sport gain not just strength, but are also more focused, have better attendance, and get better grades.

                It’s also builds self-confidence. Kerr described a 13-year-old girl who came out to try the sport a few years ago. She was shy and had low self-esteem. As she participated in the program, her self-confidence grew and she earned a silver medal at the Mi’kmaw Summer Games. “Community sports can have such a positive influence on young people,” he said.

                “It’s a great sport you can do for your whole life, from 7 to 107,” said Pemberton. “It’s a very safe sport that’s fun for the whole family, and fundamentals can be learned in a day.”

                And while you can do it just for fun, you can also do it for competition. The club is proud of its Canadian champion, Sam Mehaan, who won three gold medals at the 2025 Canadian Outdoor Archery Championships in Lac la Biche, Alberta, this past summer.

                The club had over 2,500, mostly tourists, through their doors last year, and it is looking to grow its membership. “It’s very satisfying. People think it’s hard, but with a little bit of instruction, they quickly pick it up. People are always excited for the first time they pop a balloon,” said Pemberton.

                Local resident Wanda LeFort would agree with that assessment. She showed up with her own bow and arrows. She joined the club that first winter three years ago and fell in love with the sport. “It’s addicting,” she said.

                For anyone wanting to try, the club provides all of the equipment, and they have a wide range of bow sizes. Due to insurance reasons, people are asked to join Archery Nova Scotia when they come out more than three times. Shoot fees are $7 for members and $12 for non-members. There is a discount for families of three or more. Cash or tap will be available for payment.

                They are also looking to start a CanBow program which teaches young archers to become proficient in the sport. This will be dependent on expressed interest.

                For more information, check out their Facebook page: Bras d’Or Archers Association | Baddeck.