Addictions & Substance Abuse

Inuit communities and regional governments and organizations have noted that alcohol and drug abuse and misuse are priority problems. Binge drinking, which is the most common form of problem-drinking in Inuit areas, is a major factor in violence, accidents and injuries, employment and family problems, and so on. News stories from the North tell us that drugs such as marijuana, crack cocaine and crystal meth are being used more often and by younger people, which is a cause for concern.

Promising Programs and Initiatives in Inuit Communities

There are efforts taking place at the community level to help individuals, families and communities deal with substance use and abuse. Examples include addictions counselling services, self-help groups, sports and recreation activities, cultural programs, and treatment centres.

Inuit Tuttarvingat, working with consultant Leesie Naqitarvik, selected several alcohol and drug-related programs to highlight. These programs are either geared to Inuit, or have incorporated Aboriginal perspectives into their programs. Others, while not Inuit-specific, provide information that may be of interest to Inuit working in addictions.

Through phone and e-mail, Leesie Naqitarvik interviewed staff and program managers about the services they provide, the programs’ accomplishments and strengths, some barriers they have faced, and what advice they can offer to others working in addictions and wellness. We can see through the following interviews that these efforts are having a positive effect on the well-being of Inuit and our communities:

	Aboriginal Healing Foundation Program Category: Addictions Counselling Sponsoring organization: Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Community: Ulukhaktok, NWT Started: 2004. Completed: March 31, 2010 Interview with Annie Goose of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation Program >>
	Hopedale Treatment Services Category: Day-treatment Centre Sponsoring organization: Health and Social Development Department, Nunatsiavut Government Community: Hopedale, Labrador Started: August 2009 Interview with Ginette Chouinard of Hopedale Treatment Services >>
	RCMP Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) Program Category: School Program (prevention) Sponsoring organization: RCMP Community: Nain, Labrador Started: 2007 Interview with Sergeant Cal Barter of the R.C.M.P in Nain >>
	Iqaluit Al-Anon and ACA (Adults Children of Alcoholics) Category: Group Program Sponsoring organization: Joanne Ashley (registered with Al-Anon World Service Organization) Community: Iqaluit, Nunavut Started: September 2008 Interview with Joanne Ashley of Al-Anon >>
	Kugluktuk Alcohol and Drug Counselling Category: Prevention/Counselling Sponsoring organization: Kugluktuk Wellness Centre Community: Kugluktuk, Nunavut Interview with the Alcohol and Drug Counselling Program >>
	Spousal Abuse Prevention Program Category: Prevention Program Sponsoring organization: Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre Community: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Started: 2002-2003 Interview with Emiline Kowmuk of the Spousal Abuse Prevention Program: >>
	Mamisarvik Healing Centre Category: Residential Treatment Centre Sponsoring organization: Tungasuvvingat Inuit Community: Ottawa, ON Started: 2003 Interview with Pam Stellick, Director of the Mamisarvik Healing Centre >>
	Heritage Home Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre Category: Residential Treatment Centre Sponsoring organization: Heritage Home Foundation Community: Godmanchester, Quebec Started: 2005 Interview with Sky Bellefleur, Native Spiritual Counsellor at Heritage Home Treatment Centre >>
	Kainaiwa Adolescent Treatment Centre Category: Prevention and Intervention Sponsoring organization: National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program Community: Standoff, Alberta Interview with Kainaiwa Adolescent Treatment Centre >>
	FACE (Facing Alcohol Concerns Through Education; now referred to as FACE) Category: Prevention and Training and Resources Community: United States Started: 1989 Interview with Daniel Varner of the FACE Organization >>