TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
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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
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Siletz News
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