Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, May 11, 2012

Top story: Dementia gives a different avour to Mother’s Day On stage: Shawnigan celebrates its favourite artistic son

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Friday, May 11, 2012

Drugs at your dinner table

State of emergency declared

Start the conversation: Experts says it’s a good thing if you are talking about substance abuse with your teens

Cowichan Tribes: Chief to explain Monday after rash of suicides

Krista Siefken

News Leader Pictorial

Krista Siefken

News Leader Pictorial

A

recent spike in suicides and suicide attempts on reserve has prompted Cowichan Tribes to declare a state of emergency. A press conference with statistics and other details is scheduled with Chief Harvey Alphonse on Monday at 9 a.m. In the meantime, Alphonse told the News Leader Pictorial the declaration was signed by the band’s council on May 8, and is already in effect. “There is a connection with (suicides from) the past, however, it has been just over a month now since there has been these kinds of concerns that have been raised,â€? Alphonse said of the mounting worry about suicides and suicide attempts in the community. Tribes won’t be releasing the hard numbers until the press conference on Monday, but it’s already been reported Tribes hosted a trio of community forums last month to talk about the taboo topic. The Âżrst, called the Circle of Light Gathering, was attended by National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. “We gathered information, statistical information, about the emergency occurring in our community, and based on what we found, it met the criteria for declaring the state of emergency,â€? Alphonse added. The declaration is an internal process, but Cowichan Tribes’ general manager explained it’s also an appeal to Victoria and Ottawa. “Cowichan Tribes is calling upon our own government and our various centres and programs to respond to the state of emergency, and we’ve been doing that since April with the three community forums we’ve hosted to date,â€? said Maureen Tommy. “Also, we are submitting our state of emergency to the Andrew Leong provincial and the federal governments.â€? Grade 1 student Jackson Komljenovic takes his handcrafted kite for a test Ă…ight during Sunrise Waldorf School’s annual more on page A4 May Fest celebration on Saturday, May 5.

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CMP Corporal Scott Hilderley’s drug-prevention tip for parents may surprise you in its simplicity. “The best method of drug prevention is a family, sitting around a table, having dinner and talking together,â€? he says. Hilderley should know. A police ofÂżcer of 26 years, he’s spent 14 years working in drug prevention. And Hilderley highlighted the paramount importance of family connection in preventing substance abuse during a a panel event hosted by the Cowichan District Parent Advisory Council on Tuesday evening. Police, parents, counsellors, doctors and educators talked bluntly about the stark reality of teens and drugs Dr. Isabel Rimmer: and alcohol. from parents North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Cpl. Kevin Day told the 100 or so oze are obviously parents at the meeting that pot and booze popular with Cowichan teens. “Alcohol is the number-one drug of choice for our youth today, due to the common belief that going out and drinking — and drinking a lot — with their friends is not the wrong thing to do,â€? he said. “It’s somewhat of a cultural thing, and they’ve come to have the belief that it’s OK.â€? “Teens drink for one reason, and one reason only: to get drunk,â€? Hilderley agreed. Ecstasy, crack cocaine and heroin are other substances that turn up in Cowichan, but there’s also a black market for prescription drugs. “Prescription drugs that come in the form of pills are becoming more commonplace,â€? Day said. “Drugs such as OxyContin go for about $10 or $20 on the street. OxyContin has been known to be the poor man’s heroin.â€? And not a single one of the options out there is good for teens’ developing bodies and brains. “I know everyone wants to know, ‘What’s the worst drug?’ — but does it really matter?â€? Hilderley asked. “If you work with your kids at keeping your relationship strong, it doesn’t matter what’s out there. If it doesn’t get inside the walls of your house or the body of your child, it doesn’t matter.â€? more on A5

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