Drug abuse a community problem

Page 10

The building that houses the Peigan Prevention Counselling Services is a new multi-use facility, built as much as a place for social gathering as for drug and alcohol treatment.

As such, it reflects the whole philosophy of the program and the people who run

it - that drug abuse is a community as well as an individual problem and must be treated jointly by individuals, families, friends and community agencies.

"Our customs are based on very community-minded traditions," said Peter Strikes With A Gun, director of the program.

"Personal and community development go hand-in-hand toward solving our problems."

The program philosophy suggests that there are four inter-related levels that must be dealt with if the community is to reach its ultimate goal of being alcohol and drug free: the individual, the family, the community and the world.

"Our parents and the community and culture we were raised in are part of what we are," said Strikes With A Gun.

"A person has to come to terms with who they are and the culture they come from if they're to be healed. Otherwise, you just wind up having the problems start all over again."

As part of this approach, the program sponsors regular social and cultural gatherings to further unify and instill co-operation in the community.

Sober Parties, where people can have fun and socialize without alcohol, are part

of the program, helping to bring people together and show that drugs are not necessary to having a good time.

The program also sponsors prevention and healing workshops, using a variety of approaches. Psychological counselling and various referral programs are available to help participants with health and family problems.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held weekly, and there's also gospel singing and spiritual gatherings that combine traditional Native beliefs with Christianity.

Education also plays a vital role in preventing further abuse. Program directors focus particularly on the youth in the community and talks are given at the schools on personal growth, skills devleopment and community responsibility.

The program also acts as a networking agency, to co-ordinate the activities of other agencies working towards the elimination of drug abuse and its causes. Through

its family outreach programs, it established support groups within families and the large communities.

"Our staff has taken a leadership role in the community," said Strikes With A Gun.

"We're all active or supportive of council, the schools and other agencies and this helps us to know people better and to get the kind of inter-related support we need for the people who come here."

Though the program deals mainly with adult men, Strikes With A Gun said they are also seeing an increasing number of women and teens coming to them for help. He attributes this success to the non-institutional atmosphere of the facility and to the program's willingness to be unconventional and use whatever approach works.

"When I was young the God I was taught about was a frightening God," Strikes With A Gun recalled.

"Now the God I believe in is my own. We use sweats, pipe ceremonies, Sun Dances and church teachings in our program, whatever people are most comfortable with and whatever works for them.''