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HEALTH & EDUCATION
A
IMMUNIZATION
CLINIC
Sponsored By
The Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde
To be held at:
Tillamook County Health
Department
800 Pacific Ave
on
January 24, 1992
10:30am to 3:00pm -
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The tribe is sponsoring this immunization
clinic to be sure that tribal children are
adequately immunized. There will be no
charge for the immunizations.
Dentist Tammy McClung will be available to
do dentist screenings and answer any ques
tions. Even if you are up-to-date on immunizations,
please stop by to meet the staff.
For further information contact Joe Brisbois
or Bonnie Martin at 1-800-422-0232.
Nanitch Sahallie Guides Native American Indian Youth
Editor's Note." 77ij is the first in a series of articles
that will follow a client through the process of drug
and alcohol rehabilitation at the Nanitch Sahallie
Native American Youth Residential Treatment
Program in Keizer. Tlie identity of the client, who
will be referred to as "Jay," will remain anonymous
at the request of the Nanitch Sahallie Coordinator.
Tlie purpose of this series is to highlight the destmc
tion that occurs when drugs and alcohol become an
indispensable part of a Native American's life. To
bring into the forefront our reader's minds the thin
line that exists between casual use and dependency.
And, finally, to share with you the personal battles
that must be fought and won before one can turn
hisher back on drugs or alcohol.
Tlie process of becoming chemically dependent
usually starts as a young child for total dependency
to occur during adolescence. Following "Jay"
through his rehab process, you will see just how
innocently his dependency started and just how
difficult it is to stop.
"If I only had one minute in front of the entire
Indian Nation Youth, I would tell them 'You are
the future, drugs for the Native American people
aren't good enough'," Randy Butler said.
Fortunately, Butler has more than one minute to
help the chemically dependent Native American
Indian youth. lie works with youth from eight
surrounding counties daily as the Program Coordi
nator for Nanitch Sahallie and is also a tribal
member.
Some Native American Indian youth find drugs
and alcohol to be a release; something to make
them relax, be happy, work orjust deal with life
from day to day. "I see them killing themselves,
their family, their tribe and Native American
Indians as a people," hesaid. "That is the hardest
part of my job."
Another part of his job is to help clients under
stand and incorporate the 12 steps to recovery into
their lives. The 12 steps to recovery are spiritually
oriented. Butler, who considers himself to be a
spiritual man, believes they were especially created
for Native American Indians.
Educating clients on the psychological and
physiological effects of drugs and alcohol on
them, their families and communities is also a
major part in a client's realization that heshe
is chemically dependent.
Admitting it is the first and most crucial step
to recovery. "If clients can't seem to manage
the first step, then their chances of making it in
recovery are very little," Butler said.
"Our youth look to their tribe for identity, he
said. "We need to help our youth start claiming
what is theirs and standing by them for it; that
is being a Native American Indian."
Case in Point
"Jay," a 17 year-old, started drinking when he
was only two years old. He smoked marijuana
with his family at the age of five. Dealing drugs
was a part of his life in his early teens.
"I just considered it a family thing; to get high
with your family," he said. "I didn't understand
why some of my friends were so shocked when
I told them I was buying for my mother."
For the last three years, he has been living on
the streets, in his car, or with friends.
During the last two years, "Jay" claims to have
been sober for only 20 days. "I knew I needed
help when I woke up one day with bruises all
over my arms from needles," he said.
"Not realizing that I did have a problem was
the hardest thing about being on drugs," "Jay"
said.
"Coming to Nanitch Sahallie was the best
thing I ever did," "Jay" said. "
"Jay" is looking forward to a two week period
away from Nanitch Sahallie before he comes
back for the six month TLC program. "I'm not
worried about slipping back into drugs or
alcohol while I'm out," he said. "Even though
most of my family still do drugs and drink."
He advises other teenagers to think before
they act. "I never did and look where it got
me," he said.
Update of Tribal Community Program Transporting Policy in Effect January 1992
who have transportation but are incapaci- organized the transport,
tated. A11 transports will be assigned and scheduled
3. Children whose parents cannot transport by the CHR Supervisor. A transport log sheet
because of their own illness or incapacitation. WU1 De maintained listing the patient's name,
4. Members who have transportation but
It is the policy of the Community Health
Program to assist the members of the tribe by
transporting patients to obtain their health
service and to participate in health presenta
tions. In providing this service the following
priorities for transportation are:
1. Elders who have no transportation or who
have transportation but are incapacitated.
2. Members who have no transportation or
purpose for transport, destination, date and
because of extenuating circumstances cannot name f CHR who is providing the transport,
drive or it is impractical to do so. A tnree day notice is necessary for schedul-
5. Groups who are attending a tribal health in8 purposes. Use of seat belts are required in
function and the Tribal Health Program has a11 tribal vehicles by all passengers being
transported.