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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2008)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Ask Raven CEDARR Raven will answer your questions about problems associated with alco hol, tobacco and other drugs. You can call in your questions to the numbers below or mail them to: Community Efforts Demonstrating the Ability to Rebuild and Restore July 2, 5:30 p.m. Siletz Community Health Clinic Raven P.O. Box 549 Siletz. OR 97380-0549 Dear Raven: I love someone who drinks a lot and sometimes he uses drugs. He does good for awhile and then I find out he has been sneaking around behind my baek. This has eaused so many problems and we have a baby now. Why can’t he see what it is doing to us? I love him but I am getting so frustrated and I don’t trust him anymore. From, Unsigned Dear Unsigned: What you are seeing is a common symptom of addiction. That is denial. Denial is the way the addicted brain has of making sure it will get more of the drug (alcohol is a drug too). The addicted brain will send mes sages to the person's consciousness that minimizes the seriousness of the addiction or makes excuses for con tinued drug use even when there have been negative consequences. Here arc some examples of denial: It’s not that bad; everyone I know does it; I can control it; I can quit anytime; I don’t do it very often; other people drink way more than I do; I need it because I am in pain; there is nothing else to do; alcohol is legal; marijuana is natural. Some people with an addiction problem are not honest with them selves about the seriousness of their problem. Others are aware of it, but are not honest with others because they don't want anyone to tell them they are concerned or give them an ultimatum. Denial is a difficult thing to deal with in a relationship with a loved one. And the first thing to go is trust because there is no longer honesty in the rela tionship. But there is hope. Everyone with an addiction problem can get help. But it’s up to the person to decide he or she is ready to accept the help. Even people who are mandated to a treatment program may resist accept ing the help and just go through the motions until they complete treatment. But addiction treatment providers do not give up. The help is there, waiting for that moment when the person reaches out for help. For you, as a family member, it’s very important that you take care of yourself and your child. Your frustra tion can turn to anger and resentment very easily and this is not healthy for you as a person and as a mother. Please talk to a counselor who un derstands addictions or go to an ALANON meeting, a self-help pro gram of recovery for family members. If your loved one sees you are willing to get help, maybe eventually he will too. Remember, you are not alone. Oth ers have found help and you can too. Thank you for writing. Please let me know how you are doing. Raven Siletz Tribal A&D Programs Prevention, Outpatient Treatment and Women’s Transitional For more information, call 541-444-8286. We hope to see you there! Where Are They Getting It? Youth Access to Alcohol by De Anna Pearl, A&D Prevention Fact: According to the Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, 69 percent of AI/AN youth said it was easy to get alcohol. Where are they getting it, you ask? Of the youth who reported they drank in the last 30 days, 51 percent marked they had obtained alcohol from these top three sources: a party they attended, from friends who are older than 21 and from friends under age 21. Unfortunately, 29 percent reported they are getting it from a parent, tak ing it from home without permission and getting it from a brother or sister. How do I limit my child’s ability to obtain alcohol? Here are some suggestions: S Monitor alcohol use in your home. If you keep alcohol in your home, keep track of the supply. Make clear to your child that you don't allow unchaperoned parties or other teen gatherings in your home. Encourage him or her to in vite friends over when you are at home. The more entertaining your child does in your home, the more you will know about your child’s friends and activities. Siletz: 800-600-5599 or 541-444-8286 ✓ Connect with other parents. Get Eugene: 541-484-4234 Salem: 503-390-9494 Portland: 503-238-1512 Narcotics Anonymous Meetings Monday - 7:30-8:30 p.m. Atonement Lutheran Church 2315 N Coast Highway (I0I). Newport Friday - 7:30-8:30 p.m. Atonement Lutheran Church 2315 N Coast Highway (101), Newport Tuesday - 7:30-8:30 p.m. TLC - A&D Building 565 Old River Road, Siletz Saturday - 6-7 p.m. Siletz VFW 143 SE Eggbert St., Siletz Tuesday - 7:30-8:30 p.m. St. Peter the Fisherman Lutheran Church 1226 SW I3*h St., Lincoln City Saturday - 6:30-7:30 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church 2490 NE Hwy 101. Lincoln City Thursday - 8-9 p.m. St. Peter the Fisherman Lutheran Church 1226 SW 13* St., Lincoln City Toll-Free Help Line - 877-233-4287 8 • Siletz News • July 2008 ting to know other parents and guardians can help you keep closer tabs on your child/children. Friendly relations can make it easier for you to call the parent of a teen who is having a party to be sure a responsible adult will be present and alcohol will not be available. You're likely to find out that you're not the only adult who wants to prevent pre-teen/teen alcohol use - many other parents share your concern. ✓ Keep track of your child's activi ties. Be aware of your pre-teen/ teen’s plans and whereabouts. Gen erally, your child will be more open to your supervision if he or she feels you are keeping tabs because you care, not because you distrust him or her. ✓ Develop family rules about teen drinking. When parents establish clear “no alcohol” rules and expec tations, their children are less likely to begin drinking. While each fam ily should develop agreements about teen alcohol use that reflect their own beliefs and values, some possible family rules about drink ing are: 1. Kids will not drink alcohol un til they are 21. 2. Older siblings will not encour age younger brothers or sisters to drink and will not give them alcohol. 3. Kids will not stay at teen par ties where alcohol is served. 4. Kids will not ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking. The Good News: Only 5 percent of the youth reported they are getting their alcohol from grocery stores. Retailers are doing a great job of checking iden tification to reduce sales to minors. www.parentingisprevention.org www.theantidrug.com (AOL Keyword: Drug help CTSI Jobs CTSI Employment Job Line 541-444-8296 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1296 Visit our Web site at www.ctsi.nsn.us Note: “Open Until Filled” vacan cies may close at any time. The Tribe’s Indian Preference policy will apply. Tribal government will not discrimi nate in selection because of race, creed, age, sex, color, national origin, physi cal handicap, marital status, politics, membership or non-membership in an employee organization.
