Striking while the iron is hot

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Rumored cuts to two federal programs involving addictions are having an effect. Groups country-wide who work against dependency on alcohol, illegal drugs and tobacco have banded together to work for maintaining federal funding levels.

The programs that may be on the block when the budget comes down from Finance minister Paul Martin's office are Canada's Drug Strategy, begun in 1987, and the Tobacco Demand Reduction Strategy, begun in 1992. While federal spokespeople have publicly proclaimed the "business as usual" line, behind the scenes there have been major-league leaks, and all the leaks are saying the same thing: the programs are in line for the financial chop.

Instead of the usual wait-till-the-end-and-see strategy followed by others who rely on public funding, these groups have responded by trying to nip the cuts in the bud - call it a proactive reaction. So, instead of criticism after the fact, they are giving Jean Chretien's Liberals a chance to avoid the after-the-fact flack.

Led by Maggie Hodgson of the Nechi Institute, a drug and alcohol education centre in St. Albert, Alta., the self-styled National Coalition in Support of Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Prevention has mounted an impressive campaign to get their message across. At the end of January, there will have been 90,000 cards sent to the prime minister asking him to examine his priorities carefully.

Native people see the problems in mainstream society regarding substance abuse and addiction magnified in Native communities. At the end of the day, we have to thank these activists for their efforts. The campaign has been positive in its approach and a good example of democratic muscle flexing.

But it's not enough to say "Bravo" (although we're sure it will be appreciated.) Make sure that you have signed and sent one of the cards to the prime minister.

That, or a letter which tells him that cuts to these programs will seriously impact Canada's Native communities in the long term. And tell him to take this opportunity to make sure that doesn't come to pass.