National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation Host Launch Of Federal Funding Announcement For First Nations And Inuit Communities

OTTAWA, ON, May 9, 2008 - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs were welcomed yesterday at the National Liaison Office of the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation in Ottawa, to launch the Federal funding announcement for First Nations and Inuit communities. Under the National Anti-Drug Strategy, this additional $30.5 million over five years will be used to increase service effectiveness, serve more people and improve service quality in the treatment of Addictions in First Nations and Inuit communities.

"We know that this new investment will make a difference, not only because it enhances financial resources to do so, but because it invests in people of worth and in the strength of their vision and commitment. We look forward to promoting the successes that this major investment will bring, said Sharon Clarke, Executive Director of the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation".

"The situation of Aboriginal People regarding addictions has been a common concern for Government and every Aboriginal community and organisation involved with this issue for many years. The Government commitment to address this concern through additional investments directed specifically at First Nations and Inuit Communities is extremely encouraging" added Ms. Clarke

The National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation (NNAPF) was created in 2000, to represent, at national level, the concerns of Aboriginal people directly involved in the field of Addictions, mental health and other related issues.

In collaboration with NNADAP Community addiction workers, Treatment centres, First Nations organizations, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, and our partners, AFN, CCSA, CAAN, Taking it Global, and our regional coordinating committees, the Foundation has worked towards developing the capacity of First Nation and Inuit people to address addictions and related issues. "We will continue to support the development of partnerships across jurisdictions through forums, panels, research activities and organized networking initiatives" added Sharon Clarke.

In response to its stakeholders needs, the Foundation has engaged in several initiatives:

• Developed and delivered to the Government a National Aboriginal Addictions System;
• Created an aboriginal specific national community emergency program;
• Encouraged the development of best practices in the planning and delivery of a continuum of care,
• Advanced a process to enhance the quality of Addictions services through the development of a National Aboriginal Workforce development Strategy.

Training and certification of workers has been a priority for all NNAPF’s partners and in some regions up to 58% of addictions workers are certified or in the process of certification in the basic competencies required for international certification. NNAP has supported certification of workers in treatment centres and community based programs by researching baseline workforce data, facilitating targeted training for addictions workers in the competencies required for certification, supporting the re-profiling of treatment centres to better meet the needs of communities and deliver and more balance d set of services. "The desire for change and system wide improvement is there" stresses Ms Clarke.

NNADAP and NYSAP Treatment Centres who have been able to maintain high standards and innovative programming are assisting those who are struggling, with training, advice and other supports, our community based programs are doing the same with tribal council level meetings and value added shared training.

"We are proud of the treatment centres who have achieved accreditation of their facilities. We now have approximately 70% of our NNADAP and NYSAP Centres fully accredited or in the process. We are proud of our treatment centres, both the NNADAP and the NYSAP, who work in difficult situations addressing addiction issues of our youth, their families and individuals" declared Ms. Clarke.

The anti-drug strategy funding will assist those centres to better meet the challenges of the onslaught of crystal meth, crack, ecstasy, solvents and other addictive substances.

The additional funding will support innovation in drug treatment such as the pilot project utilizing equine assisted therapy in the White Buffalo Youth Treatment Center. The monies will support the integration of best practices with cultural traditions in programs such as in-community drug detoxification that utilizes sweat lodges, teachings, nutrition and best practise guidelines for home detox such as that being explored by the Touchwood Tribal Council in Saskatchewan.

The progress and successes that NNAPF has achieved over the years have been strengthened by the support of National Strategies that recognized the specific, unique needs of Aboriginal and Inuit people confronting Addictions. Ideally positioned as Canada’s National Aboriginal Addictions Agency, the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation has leveraged programs, initiatives and partnerships that these strategies encouraged to develop to increase the quality of our programs, workforce and evidence based information.

"For First Nations and Inuit individuals, families and communities, the Commitment of the present government to act on the recognition of their unique and specific needs and the efficacy of their approaches is for the Foundation a signal that they will now have a greater chance to get closer to their ultimate vision: enjoying healthy lifestyles free from addictions" concluded Sharon Clarke.