Pubdate: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 Source: Hope Standard (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Hope Standard Contact: http://www.hopestandard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1397 Author: Penny Lett, MetroValley News Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) STO:LO NATION CHOSEN TO LEAD NATIONAL AWARENESS WEEK Sto: lo Nation has been declared the winner. The Nechi Institute of Edmonton, a First Nations program training centre, has chosen the Sto:lo Nation Addictions Prevention Program to host the kickoff event for the 2004 National Addictions Awareness Week. "It will mark the beginning of all other celebrations in all other communities across Canada," announces Judy Staples, Sto:lo Nation Health Services support services supervisor. "National Addictions Awareness Week is set for Nov. 14 to 20, and our kickoff celebration will be held on that opening Sunday." "Turning to Tradition" is the selected theme for local activities that will begin with a 1 p.m. opening ceremony on the Sto:lo Nation grounds (Coqualeetza) at 7201 Vedder Rd. A parade follows and the community at large is welcome to "fall in." Walkers can simply join in along the route. Those wishing to enter floats are asked to call ahead to Sto:lo Nation at 604-824-3200 and ask for Ms. Staples. "The parade will leave from the Coqualeetza Longhouse on Vedder, head north to the malls, west to Topaz, south to Knight Road, east to Vedder Road and finally south to end where it started," says Ms. Staples. "We're welcoming everyone in the Fraser Valley to be part of this and we will have our own Sto: lo dancers as part of this, too. It's all a way of uniting in the promotion of healthy, addictions-free lifestyles." Additional cultural exposure to First Nations traditions will continue in the afternoon when participants and onlookers are invited to gather (at no charge) at the Malloway Longhouse on Chilliwack River Road. "Starting at about 3 p.m. and continuing to maybe 7 p.m., we'll be honouring those in addictions recovery and present a theatre production which is being written and performed by our youth just for this occasion," says Ms. Staples. "There will also be drumming, singing and the First Nations dancers, as well as a traditional salmon dinner." While the Nov. 14 attractions are joyous and uplifting, the underlying problem of addictions which it seeks to prevent, is very serious - even deadly. "We work on addiction prevention through awareness," Ms. Styles underlines. "That's why the whole community is invited to our Turning to Tradition events - whether or not someone is First Nations, whether or not someone is addicted." National Addiction Awareness Week has been celebrated for 15 years. Over that time, the types of drugs have changed and the dangers of their use and misuse have increased. "Alcohol has given way to cocaine, heroine and crystal meth," Ms. Staples lists. "Some drugs are so highly addictive, they bring an almost-instant addiction." In an attempt to counteract youth 'experimenting' with 'designer drugs' or drugs of any sort, the Turning to Tradition theme was selected for this year's awareness week. "We're focusing on addiction prevention for our youth," Ms. Staples. says. "And, in doing that, we want to celebrate healthy, addictions-free lifestyles by highlighting the positives in our society and in our past that we can adopt once again." Come the morning of Nov. 15, the hope is that participants and the community at large, will be able to awaken with a feeling of hope as a result of exposure to positive alternatives such as First Nations people embracing their cultural identity. Until three years ago, the kickoff to National Addiction Awareness Week was held in Edmonton, Alta. In 2002, the Community Host Contest was opened to all First Nations and Inuit groups. Flin Flon, Manitoba took the honours for that year and Prince Edward Island won in 2003. Chilliwack and the Sto:lo Nation was chosen this year likely because of its counter-balancing, west coast location. At least for Nov. 14 therefore, all eyes will be on Chilliwack. NOTE: Ms. Staples believes that, when it comes to those with addictions, there's "always hope." To support those in recovery, CCAMP House opened recently in part of the Salvation Army Care & Share Centre on Yale Road. It's operators are always looking for qualifying volunteers willing to first complete an in-depth course of training involving five evenings and two Saturdays. To learn more, call Chilliwack Chemical Addictions Management Project coordinator Faith Burr at 604-792-0129. A second walk to recognize those individuals who keep the community strong is set for Nov. 19, beginning at 9:30 a.m. from Chilliwack Landing Preschool. For more information on this outing, call the school at 604-792-5337. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D