Pubdate: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2014 Nanaimo Daily News Contact: http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608 Page: 6 FUNDS FOR TREATMENT VITAL TO FUTURE OF YOUTH It has been a sad fact for many years that aboriginal offenders are over-represented in Canada's prison population. In a report released in March 2013, Correctional Investigator Howard Saper found that though aboriginal people are just four per cent of the Canadian population, they constitute 23 per cent of federal prisoners. Aboriginal women make up 33 per cent of the total female federal prison population. Saper also found in 2013 that the aboriginal prison population had jumped 23 per cent since 2008. While there are various reasons for this wretched state of affairs, one problem stands out: Substance abuse. Combined with the fact that 80 per cent of all offenders in Canada have substance abuse or addiction problems, the logic is apparent. The announcement of provincial funding going toward treating aboriginal youths for substance abuse issues is more than good news. It is a vital piece in bringing to fruition the educational opportunities many First Nations leaders have advocated. They are adamant that the future of First Nations in Canada lies in its youth. They want improvements to education and increased opportunities for a generation with immense potential. To be clear, not all aboriginal youth engaged in substance abuse will go to jail any more than non-native youth. But as with non-natives, substance abuse may limit if not ruin a potentially bright future. The funding, to be administered through Island Health, will go to creating a safe, supportive and structured care environment that is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. While the primary focus is to treat aboriginal youth, Cheryl Damstetter, Island Health's Executive Director, Mental Health, Family and Public Health said the beds will be accessible to any youth population in need of stabilization and transition supports. All youth, native and non-native, need this sort of aid. Many First Nations communities have issues of substance abuse arising mainly from the legacy of residential schools. It's difficult for non-native people to understand the trauma that arose from that widespread, and often illegal, effort to separate children from their parents, communities and cultures. While many institutions of the post-war era were similar in terms of the physical, sexual and emotional abuse, residential schools imposed a widespread trauma. The disproportionate substance abuse among aboriginal populations stems from nearly ubiquitous experiences of abuse, cultural loss, as well as the paternalism that followed the failure of the purpose of the residential school system: To eliminate First Nations cultures and languages. Though for historical reasons aboriginal populations may experience a high incidence of substance abuse, this is a problem that touches all Canadians. We pay for crimes committed by addicts, we pay to house them in jails and prisons. A program like the one being initiated by the province is essential if we are going to break the cycle created by drugs - including alcohol - and drug addiction. Yes, we may save some tax money. But more importantly we may save lives. First Nations leaders are right, our future is in our youths and they deserve our support. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom