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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2005)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Siletz Tribal Alcohol & Drug Programs Prevention, Outpatient Treatment, and Women’s Transitional Salem: 503-390-9494 Portland: 503-238-1512 Siletz: 1-800-600-5599 or 541-444-8286 Eugene: 541-484-4234 TLC Attitudes of Gratitude There is little in life more gratifying and complete treatment continue on that than seeing someone you care about positive path to wellness. This is accom really “getting it” - figuring out what he or plished by providing a safe, structured, she has to do and how they need to be to nurturing environment from which to face keep themselves well - unless it’s “getting the challenges of a demanding world. it” yourself, for yourself. The process is We are grateful to those in the com often a slow, time-intensive one, beset munity who support our program and resi with backslides and relapses. dents by their generous gifts. Thank you Fortunately, people are capable of change, of working toward good in life. When they stumble and fall, many have learned to pick themselves up and con tinue the journey toward wellness. to the Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild for five gorgeous handcrafted comforters, to Lynn Whitlow for two matching shower curtain sets and lamps, and to Kelley Ellis for a baby swing. No sugar coating - it’s not an easy, comfortable journey. Much of it includes Our wonderful volunteers are to be celebrated: Alice McCain, Joan physical and emotional pain. Inner moti vation, perseverance, and embracing sup port from others eventually can help one obtain sobriety, clarity of mind, inner Hartung, Jackie Ashley, Selene Rilatos, and Carrie White. Thank all of you for your dedication. The TLC needs more volunteers to balance, and spiritual peace. Staying in recovery involves being humble, working the steps, participating sleep overnight. Volunteers offer emo tional security just by being here, willing in self-care, including attending sweat to lend a listening ear. It’s not a difficult lodge ceremony, the church of your choice, job, but it’s richly rewarding both to the 12-step groups, or other supportive self- volunteer and to residents. affirmation activities. A heart of gratitude Call Lynn at 1-800-922-1399, for all the positives in your life helps keep ext. 1238, or 541-444-8238 if you are a the journey headed in the right direction. clean and sober woman who wants to give This is what TLC is all about - helping back to your community in a way that women who have taken the steps to seek makes a difference! Ask Raven Raven will answer your questions about problems associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Look for boxes in tribal offices with Raven’s picture. You can leave your questions for Raven in these boxes. Those questions suitable for Siletz News will he answered here. If you want a confidential answer to a question, please leave an address and Raven will contact you. Dear Raven: With all this talk about meth, it seems like we are not concerned about alcohol anymore. But I still see it affecting people in a ter rible way. What are programs doing to deal with alcohol problems? Unsigned Dear Unsigned: Yes, many people are very worried about the methamphetamine epidemic. It’s important to know that both outpatient and residential substance abuse counselors are still very much aware that alcohol is still a problem for our people of all ages. Alcoholism treatment continues to help people regain their health, develop a community support system for long-term sobriety, and a plan to prevent relapse. Often, recovering alcoholics need assis tance with housing, employment, family counseling, and support from their reli- gious/spiritual leaders in the community. Some people need mental health services to assist them in their recovery. Scientists continue to research the effects of alcohol. One of the most recent has to do with how alcohol affects the brain. It’s clear that heavy drinking has extensive and far-reaching effects on the brain, ranging from simple slips in memory to permanent and debilitating conditions that require lifetime custodial care. Even people who have quit drink ing for a long period of time may develop liver disease and other conditions that are caused by alcoholism. As well as the news about alcohol ism and the body, we know that alcohol ism continues to be very hard on family relationships. People who drink exces sively have more incidents of legal prob lems and women who drink during preg- nancy place their child at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. Prevention professionals are available to be a support to children who are at risk for alcoholism and related problems or who are suffering because of parental alcoholism. Thank you for writing. These things are good to remember so that we, as a community, will not forget that alcohol ism is a dangerous disease that affects the individual, family, community, and nation. Raven Announcements From the A&D Program: Crista Whittington, prevention coordinator, has resigned and her last day was June 9, 2005. We appreciate Crista’s contribution to the program and wish her well. ATOD and Youth Delinquency Prevention Parents, if you think your child may be at risk for alcohol, tobacco, or other drug problems and/or juvenile delin quency behaviors, please call Delina John at 1-800-600-5599 or 541-444-8286, or Christy Field in the Portland Area Office at 503-238-1512. Christy is now provid ing part-time prevention services in the Portland and Salem areas. One of them will talk with you about risk factors and those things that help pro tect your child from developing those problems. They will help you develop a prevention plan that will support you as a parent and provide your child with sup port for making good choices. Men! We still need adult male vol unteers, even once a year, to chaperone a youth prevention activity. Please contact us if you have any interest! Nu-wee-ya’ (our words) Introduction to the Athabaskan Language Open to tribal members of all ages The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Siletz Salem wishes you a safe Siletz Tribal Community Center Salem Area Office July 12-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and happy July 14-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. August - no class Meth Task Force Meeting July 6 - 5:30 p.m. Siletz Tribal Housing Department Conference Room August - no class The Meth Task Force is open to all Portland Eugene Portland Area Office July 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. August - no class Eugene Area Office July 11-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. August - no class community members, youth, and adults. We know that a lot of people are concerned about the methamphet amine epidemic in this community. You Tribal members who need help on cultural projects should contact the Siletz Culture Department. We can assist you prior to the language classes. For more information, contact Bud Lane at the Siletz Culture Department at 541-444-8320 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1320; or e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us. 6 • Siletz News • July 2005 can make a difference! Please join us!
