Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jun 2005
Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Lethbridge Herald
Contact:  http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/leth/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239
Author: Sherri Gallant
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CONFERENCE TO TACKLE CRYSTAL METH USE AMONG ABORIGINALS

Blackfoot People From Across Province Expected To Attend

STAND OFF -- The growing concern about crystal meth addiction among 
native American peoples has given rise to a major conference to 
address the issue Monday in Stand Off.

Organizers are expecting Blackfoot people from across the province to 
attend, says facilitator Paula Du Hamel Yellow Horn.

"When somebody's on meth, they become crazy, irrational, walking and 
talking human beings," says Du Hamel Yellow Horn, a sessional 
instructor with the University of Calgary, who lives in Cardston.

The Kainaakiiski Conference -- Hope for the Blackfoot Confederacy -- 
is being sponsored by Blood Tribe chief and council and Blood Tribe 
Department of Health. Ethel Blondin Andrew, minister of Northern 
Development, is one of the featured speakers, along with Blood Tribe 
Chief Charles Weasel Head and band councillor Delores Day Chief.

Among the topics of discussion will be how to intervene.

"When I speak about intervention, for someone who suspects a loved 
one, child or relative on meth, I'm talking about intervention like 
being in a boxing ring with that person. It's not simple. You can't 
just say to them 'quit doing drugs,'" says Du Hamel Yellow Horn.

A few years ago she heard word out of Montana of meth use close to 
the Canadian border. More recently came information police there have 
been busting the meth labs, which is one of the reasons it's moved up 
here so "quickly and fervently," says Du Hamel Yellow Horn.

She will lead a session called Risk and Resiliency, Crystal Meth and 
Cocaine/Crack, How to Say No to Drugs, Alcohol and Violence.

Dr. Bill Tatton, a neurologist based near Fort Macleod who's worked 
at Stanford University, the University of Toronto and Mount Sinai 
School of Medicine, will give a detailed presentation on the effects 
of crystal meth on the brain, explaining how can it can lead in less 
than a year to an irreversible Alzheimer-like state.

Alex Goodstriker will lead a session on sharing personal family 
tragedies from the perspective of tragic loss as a result of alcohol. 
A youth panel will talk about and answer questions about drug 
addiction and their peers, and Phyllis Day Chief will talk about the 
impact of gambling on indigenous people.

Du Hamel Yellow Horn has been lobbying politicians to provide more 
police support to help clean up meth labs.

"I know the police need more support and more members to deal with 
this problem and hope that (Lethbridge MP Rick) Casson can persuade 
Ottawa for the need of additional policing efforts and drug squads," 
she said. "I also urged him to revisit the justice system dealing 
with offenders."

Du Hamel Yellow Horn doesn't believe locking up addicts is the answer.

"Jails fail to help addicts overcome drugs, especially meth," she 
says. "Addicts need to have social support and medical support to 
beat this illness, not fines where in many instances they cannot 
afford to pay."

Monday's conference begins with registration at 8:30 at Senator 
Gladstone Hall on the reserve. The Treaty 7 and Blackfoot Confederacy 
conference is expected to be attended by South and North Peigan 
people, Bloods, Sarcee and Siksika. Lunch and dinner are included and 
a Round Dance is planned for 9 p.m. before a closing ceremony.
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MAP posted-by: Beth