Meaningful
Wellness With Medical
Cannabinoids

Harm Reduction Pilot Program

Program Background

A Model Holistic wellness center for First Nation Communities Across the Territories

Roger J. Augustine

In recognizing the advancement of the medical therapeutic use of cannabinoids, Chief Roger has developed a model wellness center that can be replicated in First Nation communities across the territories. For over 48 years Chief Roger has a proven record for successfully advancing the principles of wellness, with a focus on alcohol and drug education.

Indigenous health practices and beliefs, like Indigenous peoples themselves are diverse. A wellness center must be adaptable to provide services that are relevant to the community. Best practices for Indigenous wellness involve a range of services from mainstream health care to traditional practices and medicines, all under community leadership and control.

Learn More: The Pilot Program

  • Wellness Principle 1

    Cannabinoids Relieve
    the Symptoms of Opioid
    Withdrawal

    • Thousands of people have used cannabinoids to help them reduce and replace opioid medications.
    • Patients from all walks of life, including those with chronic pain, PTSD (post- traumatic stress disorder), addiction, and non-medical use of opioids.
    • Cannabinoids can be made available through a medical prescription.
  • Wellness Principle 2

    Prescribed Medical
    Cannabinoids Can be Safer
    Than Other Options

    • In dealing with opioid addiction, cannabinoids can be safer than other harm reduction options like methadone and suboxone. It does not have the risk of a fatal overdose and has a lower risk of dependence and problematic use than other psychoactive substances.
    • Cannabinoids can be used in combination with methadone or Suboxone to enhance the benefits and support taper of these drugs.
    • In addition to reducing pain, cannabinoids convey holistic benefits, such as improving sleep, reducing anxiety, relaxing muscles, giving perspective on life’s changes, etc.
  • Wellness Principle 3

    Follow the
    Basic Principles of
    Medical Use

    • Initially prescribe a low dose of cannabinoids with every dose of opioids.
    • For longer acting effects, oral delivery, such as ECO Quick Strips absorbed through the blood vessel in the mouth is optimal.
    • Use cannabinoids to promote restorative sleep.
    • Use cannabinoids to enhance the enjoyment and benefits of therapeutic activities (exercise, mediation, prayer, counseling, journaling, etc.).

Gitpo Spirit Lodge Holistic Wellness Center

Gitpo Spirit Lodge Holistic Wellness Center

Our holistic wellness center offers traditional learning focused but not limited to drumming, education and training for careers in leadership positions and our Harm Reduction Pilot Program incorporating Cannabinoid Therapy.

In recognizing the advancement of the medical therapeutic use of cannabinoid, the purpose of the Program is to evaluate the utility of cannabinoids as an alternative for treatment of opioid addictions and dependency on the chemical pharmaceuticals methadone and suboxone.

Learn More: Our Strategic Partners

Sacred Connection

Chief Roger believes in a sacred connection among people, the Earth, and everything above it, upon it, and within it.

E.C.O. Focus on Community Education

medical cannabinoid

E.C.O. is a New Brunswick, locally-owned and operated, Health Canada licensed producer/seller of the highest quality, lab-tested, organic medical cannabinoid products.

Denise and Brent Hannay, founders of Eco Canadian Organic, a local, Health Canada licensed producer initiated a meeting with Roger Augustine in October 2020 to present their pilot project and vision of medically prescribed cannabinoids as replacement therapy for individuals living with opioid use disorder which became the foundation of our project.

E.C.O. sells quality, medical products in the provincial, national, and international markets through strategic partnerships.

E.C.O. is focused on supporting First Nation communities, by promoting wellness and harm reduction, and developing health and wellness services.

E.C.O. recognizes the importance of patient education, but also values the need for the entire community to better know how cannabinoids can be a part of a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Av Singh and Randy Flemming are committed to working with health care professionals, Band Council, and community members to provide comfort and knowledge about cannabinoids as medicine, whether it is to learn more about the endocannabinoid system or how you can grow at home, this level of information will be provided.

Learn More: Academic Research

To Regain a Rightful Place

“Our primary goal is to support community members, who have been regularly excluded from the decisions that affect their lives, in regaining their rightful place in their community, leading active and contributing roles, including leadership.”

RETIRED CHIEF ROGER AUGUSTINE

Learn More