St. Paul Poundmaker's caters to young men

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Poundmaker's Adolescent Treatment Centre in St. Paul is the only facility in Canada where Native youth can receive treatment for drug and alcohol addictions.

The 90-day treatment program operated for boys 12 to 18 years old uses elements of Native culture, Alcoholics Anonymous, recreation and the Alberta school curriculum to help the young men who walk through the doors.

Twenty of the 30 beds at the centre are sponsored by the provincial Solicitor General. These clients are in conflict with the law and have been sentenced by the courts. The remaining beds are open to individuals sponsored privately through medical services, social services or Native bands.

Elders play a key role, including involvement with the school program. School principal Pat Makokis says they help the atmosphere of the classrooms.

"They are a bit more calm when the Elders are there because they have more respect for the Elders," said Makokis.

The school program comprises a large portion of the treatment program day, with classes held every weekday afternoon. Based on an intake assessment, every student is fitted with a program that meets his level and capacity of learning. Every attempt is made for this to be challenging and interesting.

The school operates 12 months a year, with a continuous intake and departure of students as they complete the three-month treatment program. Many are at a lower academic level than they completed grade indicates and some are illiterate.

"We have 15 and 16-year-olds that came here and didn't even know their whole alphabet," said treatment co-ordinator Linda Boudreau.

It has proven a challenge for Makokis and her teaching staff to find suitable resources to accommodate the special needs of these students. Although some are illiterate, they are street-wise. Some are at an elementary reading level but they cannot

be taught to read using grade school tests.

"We have managed to find some material," said Makokis. The centre has been very create in using games, computer programs and other graphic teaching tools.

"We use a lot of material with Native content."

Once a week, the students go on field trips to recreation activities such as West Edmonton Mall Water Park, skiing, swimming or movies. These are incentive trips, with students expected to maintain an 80-per-cent classroom average to qualify for the trips.

"Our biggest success is option time," said Makokis. "Here they can see the tangle successes of their efforts."

Daily option time consists of shop, sewing, Native arts and crafts and silk screening. Construction is under way for a cooking centre to teach bachelor survival skills.

For many, art is the easiest form of self-expression and it is encouraged in their journal work.

"For many Native people, all the imaging of themselves has been negative. Through the Elders, the boys start to see the imaging change. Their self-esteem grows and they start to feel good about themselves," said Boudreau. "We have both male and female Elders because we need the balance. They love the grandmothers that come here."

Elders teach self-esteem, self imaging, dealing with feelings and trust issues.

Physical activity is essential to Poundmaker's program. The boys have phys ed every school day and participate in rigorous sports such as floor hockey, ice hockey, baseball and swimming.

Among the number of tools and techniques used in this treatment model, Boudreau says love is one of the most important things.

"These kids need love and we need their love," said Boudreau. "For many of them it's hard to believe that someone could actually care about them. But we do care, it's a Native value."

"I don't think anybody goes through here, either client or staff, without having their lives touched in a good way.

"We see many miracles happen."