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.
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