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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth