Alcohol and Drug Abuse - A time for answers

EDITORIAL

Page 6

Much of this issue is about alcohol and drug abuse.

The occasion is National Drug Awareness Week. But the problems talked about here are of concern every week of the year.

They talk in broad terms of the tragedy and suffering and loss that this disease brings. But there are also very personal stories that share the real experiences of individuals, and the healing they have experienced.

We are grateful to Maggie Hodgson and her colleagues at the Nechi Institute for their efforts, and their willingness to share their experiences and knowledge and feelings. Their efforts have been so generous that we are unable to print it all in this issue. But because what they have to say is so important, we will print it in future issues of "Windspeaker."

Our decision to devote so much space to this major concern is supported by many other actions.

In Indian country, the continuing terrible loss cannot be ignored, as the Indian Association of Alberta and so many other groups and individuals have already forcefully declared.

On a wider scale, both U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney have taken a strong stand against drugs, reflecting the attitude of many segments of the societies of both countries.

In sports, the high profile stars with drug and alcohol problems have brought a severe drug crackdown. Unfortunately, there has not been a similar crackdown on alcohol abuse, even though it is probably a more widespread problem that is just as damaging. Maybe that's because the breweries and distilleries are so heavily involved in sports sponsorship.

We hope that this issue's focus on the problem, and the articles we have printed

in the past and will print in the future, will be helpful in solving this critical problem, both by helping those individuals who are suffering this terrible disease to recognize their affliction and seek help, and by motivating others to support and assist in their efforts. We encourage readers to respond, too, by writing to us, but also by becoming actively involved.