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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2005)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS • k. - Í * ; .» < "* 7'«-' S H HI ■ll|l n„ MM w Disabled Access Improvements to Veteran’s Memorial A new concrete base and sidewalk for the Veteran's Memorial on Government Hill will make it accessible to disabled tribal members and veterans. Excess pledge revenue will be used to construct the platform through an exist ing contract with Cascade Design Professionals, Inc. Groundbreaking will occur in early October and project completion is expected prior to Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11. Please contact the tribal Planning Department at 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1361, or 541-444-8361 if you have any questions. Siletz Community Education - Recovery Resources by Lisa Brown On June 20, the Siletz Tribal Alcohol & Drug Program, in coordination with the Meth Task Force, sponsored Alan Evans, founder and director of Thugz Off Drugz, to visit the Siletz Tribal Community Center to share information about his remarkably successful program for recovering addicts. A group of more than 50 local com munity members attended the presenta tion. Tribal elders, youth, and families heard about this innovative community effort. Audience comments included, “It was very impressive to see families, three gen erations in attendance at the presentation," “The information was inspirational," and a general consensus that we need a simi lar program for our own community. Alan discussed program outcomes and shared the following with the audi ence - 85 percent of crimes committed today, from petty theft to murder, are drug-related. Thugz Off Drugz provides a struc tured, multi-phase facility to provide a helping hand for the indigent drug addict\alcoholic. For many clients with nowhere out there to get the help they need, crime becomes a win\win situation. He went on further to explain that at the end of addiction, when there is no where to turn, where can a person go without insurance or financial help? Where can a person walk in the door and say. “I have a drug problem. I'm home less and have no money. Can you help me?” There is no place. They are desperate by this point. They're hungry and tired, and feel hope less. They will do anything to survive, including break the law. They don t care if they get arrested; at least in jail they will have a roof over their head, a bed to sleep in. and three meals a day. When getting arrested becomes get ting rescued, something is wrong with our Most drug addicts are indigent; they society! But thanks to the program he commonly come from broken families founded, Alan says Thugz Off Drugz is with a history of alcoholism and drug abuse. By the time most addicts even con changing that. At Thugz Off Drugz. they have cre sider getting help, criminal activity is a ated a possibility for change. When a per way of life. son is in this hopeless state, they come to Alan Evans, founder of Thugz Off Drugz, and a grateful recovering drug addict the program's door, saying, “I'm home less, have no money, and can t stop using drugs. What do I do?" Thugz Off Drugz provides emergency housing, food and clothing, and a begin ning down a road to recovery through structured living. They help those trying In turn, this reduces crime in the area and frees space in jail for more serious offenders. Everyone who works at this facility is a recovering addict, volunteer ing their time to pass on the gift. If you are interested in attending pre sentations in the future or receiving in formation about resources similar to this program, please contact the Siletz Tribal to beat their addictions to get identifica Alcohol & Drug Program at 541 -444-8286 tion, food stamps, and a job; and teach or 1-800-600-5599. them tools and strategies to prevent them from returning to their former lifestyle. Together, we can create solutions and opportunities for success! October USDA Distribution Dates Salem Siletz Monday, Oct. 3 Tuesday, Oct. 4 Wednesday, Oct. 5 Thursday, Oct. 6 Friday, Oct. 7 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17 Tuesday, Oct. 18 Wednesday, Oct. 19 1:30 p.m. -7 p.m. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. 9a.m.-5p.m. Another season gone by. It was a great summer and we have had a lot of new faces coming into USDA. I like to think that it’s because of the fresh produce. More people are leaving food stamps and coming over to our program. We also have a new temp clerk at USDA - welcome to Roger Rilatos. He will be working with us until my boss gets back on her feet. See you next month! Happy meals! October 2005 • Siletz News • 7
