Yao raises drug use concerns about Tawâw denied by RMWB, Indigenous leaders – Fort McMurray Today
Nov 21, 2024
UCP MLA Tany Yao says RMWB officials have also raised concerns about drug use at Tawâw Mayor Sandy Bowman denied this in a letter to Premier Danielle Smith.
UCP MLA Tany Yao says he has heard concerns about drug abuse at Tawâw, a supportive housing program focusing on chronically homeless Indigenous people in downtown Fort McMurray.
The Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA said in the Alberta Legislature on Nov. 7 these concerns are shared by officials at the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).
But Mayor Sandy Bowman has told Premier Danielle Smith the RMWB is happy with the facility and denies any municipal official shares Yao’s concerns. Tawâw’s leaders say they do not tolerate drug use at the facility. Indigenous leaders have also criticized Yao’s comments as reckless.
“As a former frontline paramedic who has had to deal with drug abuse, I have a pretty low tolerance for it. Based on what people have been telling me, I do have concerns about what was happening in or near the site,” said Yao in an interview.
