Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council is calling for urgent support from governments to stop preventable deaths in the 14 First Nations it represents.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council says funding is needed to support overwhelmed workers in their communities and to build detox and rehabilitation centres, after a string of deaths.

On Thursday, the tribal council representing 14 First Nations along the west coast of Vancouver Island, declared a state of emergency over the opioid crisis and mental health struggles its members are facing.

The tribal council representing 14 First Nations along the west coast of Vancouver Island is declaring a state of emergency over the opioid crisis, which is killing their members and leaving others with mental health struggles.

The council is now calling on the provincial and federal governments and health authorities to resource strategies that take swift and meaningful action to combat the drug crisis.