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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2000)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS ATOD Conference Focuses on Prevention by Terry McDowell, A&D Counselor, Portland Area Office The Siletz Tribe was well represented at the recent four-day prevention conference in Eugene with tribal youth, elders, and staff in attendance. The Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs sponsored the conference. The focus was on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs throughout Oregon. What stood out was that when it comes to prevention, it’s just as important to remember the healthy families in our community as well as those identified with A&D issues. Prevention within our community may be most effective if all families participate in the education and prevention process. Families who do not appear to have A&D issues can role model and reach out to help families that struggle with A&D issues. Unfortunately in our community, no family is bulletproof to the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The four areas (four comes up a lot in our culture) of concern are prevention, intervention, treatment, and aftercare. If our whole community supports and participates in these four areas, the results may be a healthier community. A good starting place is communication. If you have ideas or concerns, please let the Prevention and Alcohol and Drug programs know. If meetings are scheduled, please attend because what you have to say may help the process of keeping our community on the Red Road. The funding from the State Incentives Cooperative Agreement (SICA) pays for the Prevention coordinator position. A major goal is to build partnerships and develop collaborative efforts that can increase prevention services and access to resources that can prevent or educate the community about alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. This conference served as a success for collaboration. The Lincoln County Commission on Children and Families (LCCF) paid tuition and meals for three tribal members, Maria Westervelt (elder), Rusty Butler, and Paul Butler. Transportation also was a collaborative effort. Sessions included Media Literacy, Promoting Family Strengths, Strategies to Reduce Underage Drinking, Prevention Theater, Healthy Neighborhoods (drug house abatement), Methamphetamines and ICE, Native American Protective Factors, Tobacco Prevention, Substance Abuse and Suicide, OSSOM - Youth in Action, Risk and Protective Factors and 40 Assets. Please contact Lisa Brown if you have questions or would like to volunteer to assist with prevention activities. Halloween, con’t from page 9 Clockwise from bottom left: Shantel Hostler, Lynn Whitlow, Melissa Bowers, Lisa Brown, and Lynetta Benedict also have a good time at The Girls Summit. youth. Adults and youth who care are encouraged to contact the Prevention Program to volunteer. The first step is to set a date for a meeting to »plan the next dance or activity. The Siletz Indian Housing Authority will allow us to use its conference room for the meeting. Please call 541 -444-8238 or 1 -800-922-1399, ext. 238, if you have suggestions or would like to volunteer. 11
