The I.A.A. declares WAR on drugs and alcohol

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The Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) will urge all 44 bands in the province to join an all-our war against alcohol and drug abuse.

Gregg Smith, president of the IAA, said the group's board of directors decided this week to join forces with existing agencies controlled and run by Indians to "wage war on a problem that can no longer be ignored."

Smith said the IAA has no plans to get into alcohol and drug abuse programming, but wants to participate in helping to educate its 45,000 members about alcohol and drug abuse. He said this organization also wants to make the general public understand the root causes of the problem.

Smith, the former chairman of the Alberta Indian Health Care Commission, said the despair and sense of helplessness brought on by alcohol and addictive drugs is most often part of a horror cycle for Indian families. He said the cycle for Indian people usually also consists of substandard housing, lack of education, and a general lack of pride.

"We will be asking all Chiefs and their Councils to make alcohol and drug abuse the number one social problem, and to help combat it by every means at their disposal. Traditional and contemporary education, especially for our young people, is a must and bands will be urged to take other measures as they see fit."

Smith lauded the efforts of institutions such as the Poundmaker/Nechi Centre of Edmonton and smaller, more localized centres where detoxification and counselling services are available. He said these centres are doing a tremendous job and need the support of all Indian people, as well as more financial assistance from both levels of government.

He cited statistics from a recent survey which indicates that in some instances over 80% of all deaths occurring on reserves are alcohol-related.

"It's appalling. There's no other word for it," Smith said, "Something has to be done and that is why we decided to get involved."

The IAA Board of Directors has appointed Percy Potts, vice-president of the association for Treaty Six to liaise with existing agencies and funding sources as a first step in the organizations involvement.