Mi'qmaw communities need grassroots mental health support, hears coroner's inquest

Steven Ward made an impassioned plea for more mental health support in the communities of Metepenagiag and Eel Ground, where he says too many people are struggling with dependencies on alcohol, prescription pills and crystal methamphetamine.

Ward, 55, was speaking at the coroner's inquest into the death of his childhood friend, Rodney Levi, who was fatally shot by the RCMP on June 12, 2020.

Ward describes himself as a recovered alcoholic who cares deeply about his job as an addictions counsellor.

He said there's not enough funding and not enough people to meet the need. Ward says he's been working with about 40 to 50 people and their needs extend beyond the regular workday.

Levi had been wielding two large kitchen knives while he was a guest at a home on Boom Road in Sunny Corner and would not give them up, even after police were called and tasered him three times.

Traces of methamphetamine were found in his body, according to documents released by New Brunswick's Public Prosecutions Services. 

However, the cause of death was two gunshot wounds.