Ask Raven: Many factors contribute to drug addiction
Hello Raven, How does somebody
become addicted?
Great question! There are many factors
that contribute to how a person becomes
addicted to drugs.
Genetics can play a role, if it runs
in the family a person may be at higher
risk. Some studies done on animals show
genetics are a factor.
The age a person starts using drugs also
can play a role—the earlier the age of first
illicit drugs use, the higher the risk is for
that person to become addicted to drugs.
The human brain doesn’t fully mature
until the mid-20s, so when people use
at an earlier age they are hampering the
development of the brain. This can lead
to lack of healthy coping skills, ability
to control emotions, impulse control and
healthy decision making.
The environment a person grows up in
also plays a role. If his/her home life was
unhealthy, the risks of becoming addicted
become much higher. More and more
trauma in a person’s life is shown to have
immediate and potentially long-lasting
effects on a person.
Some people start using drugs to self-
medicate due to trauma, unhealthy home
life, mental health or life-stressors, which
can lead to addiction.
Historical and generational trauma
of our Native people can contribute to a
higher risk of addiction because of the
Save the Date
January 2019 Planning Community Meetings
Jan. 10 @ the Eugene Area Office
Jan. 17 @ the Siletz Tribal Community Center
Jan. 24 @ the Salem Area Office
Jan. 31 @ the Portland Area Office
All meetings start at 5:30 p.m.
Refreshments will be available.
Most Often Requested Numbers
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians –
800-922-1399
Siletz Community Health Clinic –
800-648-0449
Salem Area Office – 503-390-9494
Siletz Behavioral Health – 800-600-5599
Salem Finance Office – 888-870-9051
Portland Area Office – 503-238-1512
Chinook Winds Casino Resort –
888-244-6665
Eugene Area Office – 541-484-4234
Chemawa Health Clinic – 800-452-7823
Contract Health Services (CHS) –
800-628-5720
Bureau of Indian Affairs – 800-323-8517
Website – www.ctsi.nsn.us
effects the historical atrocities had on
our people. Loss of languages, cultural
and spiritual practices, rites of passages,
removal from ancestral homelands and
genocide have affected all of our families.
Sometimes addiction can be iatrogenic
in nature. This is when a patient ends up
abusing or becoming addicted to a pre-
scribed drug for a legitimate pain com-
plaint. Currently, many lawsuits have been
filed against pharmaceutical companies
for lying about the addictive potential of
opioid pain medications.
So to recap, there are many factors that
can lead to a person becoming addicted to
drugs. All of the areas addressed above can
play a role, but just because you have expe-
rienced trauma or grew up in a troubled
household doesn’t mean you will struggle
with addiction.
In the future, I will go more in-depth
in each of these areas that play a role in
becoming addicted.
Thank you for your great question,
Raven
CTSI Jobs
Tribal employment information is available at ctsi.nsn.us.
Note: “Open Until Filled” vacan-
cies may close at any time. The Tribe’s
Indian Prefeence policy will apply. Tribal
government will not discriminate in
selection because of race, creed, age,
sex, color, national origin, physical
handicap, marital status, politics,
membership or non-membership in an
employee orgnization.
CTSI constantly is looking for
temporary employees to cover vacancy,
vacations, maternity leave and extended
sick leave. If you are looking for tem-
porary work that can last from 2-12
weeks, please submit an application for
the temp pool.
Send applications to:
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Attn: Human Resources Department
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
Fax number: 541-444-8375 or 800-922-
1399, ext. 1375
Human Resources: 800-922-1399,
ext. 1274, or 541-444-8274
Website: ctsi.nsn.us
Email: hrdepartment@ctsi.nsn.us
Culture Craft Night
Nee-Dash ‘vm-nitlh-ts’it
(Feather Dance
we are learning)
Culture Craft Night
Dentalium Stringing Class
Siletz
Tribal Community Center
Nov. 5 • 5-7 p.m.
Eugene
Eugene Area Office
Nov. 6 • 5-7 p.m.
Portland
Portland Area Office
Nov. 13 • 5-7 p.m.
Salem
Salem Area Office
Nov. 14 • 5-7 p.m.
Siletz Tribal members are invited to come and learn how to string dentalium.
All ages are welcome. Young people under age 10 need an adult to accompany and
assist them. The Siletz Culture Department will provide material and instructors.
If you have your own materials, please bring them.
Contact: Bud Lane, budl@ctsi.nsn.us; 541-444-8320 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1320.
Sponsored by the Education and Culture Departments
Come and learn to dance our traditional dances.
The Feather Dance is handed down to us from our ancestors.
Come and learn about our ancient dances and protocols.
Tribal members and their families welcome.
Siletz
Portland
Tribal Community Center
Dec. 3 • 5-7 p.m.
Portland Area Office
Dec. 10 • 5-7 p.m.
Eugene
Salem
Eugene Area Office
Dec. 4 • 5-7 p.m.
Salem Area Office
Dec. 11 • 5-7 p.m.
November 2018
•
Siletz News
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