A state of emergency has been declared on the Keeseekoose First Nation for drug use.

For decades, the reserve has battled drug use and elders are frustrated with how easy drugs are reaching young people.

Even though the reserve has a bylaw to banish drug dealers, elders say the law sits unused.

Keeseekoose has submitted a request to the federal government for an additional 17 police officers to be stationed at the Kamsack RCMP detachment.

The officers roles would be to patrol the community, and to be present for the upcoming Keeseekoose election to ensure drugs are not being exchanged for votes.

According to the Yorkton Tribal Council, every year five kids lose both parents due to drug overdoses.