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