ADDICTIONS, ADDICTIONS, EXPERIENCES AND EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS LEARNEDLESSONS LEARNED

YUKON SUBSTANCE USE YUKON SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEMS AND YUKON PROBLEMS AND YUKON SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS

RESEARCH METHODSRESEARCH METHODS

Public advertisements in newspapers, Public advertisements in newspapers, on the radio, and on posters displayed on the radio, and on posters displayed in Whitehorse and in the communities.in Whitehorse and in the communities.

Lists of people whose employment Lists of people whose employment involves addressing the needs of people involves addressing the needs of people in trouble with alcohol or other drugs.in trouble with alcohol or other drugs.

Solicitations of respondents with Solicitations of respondents with particular occupations: band council particular occupations: band council members, NAADAP workers, RCMP, members, NAADAP workers, RCMP, social workers, and nurses.social workers, and nurses.

Fortuitous encounters.Fortuitous encounters.

METHODS, continuedMETHODS, continued

One visit each to Faro and Old One visit each to Faro and Old Crow. Two visits to every other Crow. Two visits to every other community. community.

110 interviews110 interviews

139 participants139 participants

INTERVIEW CONTENTINTERVIEW CONTENT

Describe the current alcohol and drug Describe the current alcohol and drug situation.situation.

What have you tried which has worked What have you tried which has worked for you?for you?

What has not worked?What has not worked?

What are some solutions?What are some solutions?

THE SITUATIONTHE SITUATION

Of childrenOf children

Of youthOf youth

Of men and of womenOf men and of women

Of eldersOf elders

ChildrenChildren

Learning difficultiesLearning difficulties

AbuseAbuse

NeglectNeglect

YouthYouth

Failure in school and dropping out of Failure in school and dropping out of school.school.

Illegal drugs and illicit use of prescription Illegal drugs and illicit use of prescription drugsdrugs

Higher risk sexual activity and sexual Higher risk sexual activity and sexual predationpredation

Criminal activitiesCriminal activities

Men and WomenMen and Women

Unemployment, with Unemployment, with consequences similar to that of consequences similar to that of adolescents. adolescents.

EldersElders

Sobriety for some.Sobriety for some.

Resources for the community Resources for the community identity and history identity and history

Issues around prescription drugsIssues around prescription drugs

THE SITUATION of THE SITUATION of those employed bythose employed by Yukon Territorial GovernmentYukon Territorial Government

Non-governmental agenciesNon-governmental agencies

Band CounselsBand Counsels

Federal GovernmentFederal Government

Private business/self-employedPrivate business/self-employed

THE SITUATION, THE SITUATION, continuedcontinued In WhitehorseIn Whitehorse

In the communitiesIn the communities

What has not workedWhat has not worked

Lack of partnerships between Yukon Lack of partnerships between Yukon agencies and non-government agencies and non-government organizations.organizations.

Temporary funding for temporary Temporary funding for temporary programs.programs.

Legislation preventing enforcement of Legislation preventing enforcement of drug laws.drug laws.

Lack of community support for Lack of community support for enforcement of drug laws.enforcement of drug laws.

What has not worked, What has not worked, continuedcontinued Healing camps when alcohol and Healing camps when alcohol and

drugs are present.drugs are present.

Returning from treatment with no Returning from treatment with no aftercare.aftercare.

Some prescription drug use.Some prescription drug use.

What has worked What has worked

Community-based, informal Community-based, informal arrangements.arrangements.

Partnerships between agencies and Partnerships between agencies and community groups.community groups.

Active interagency committees.Active interagency committees. Mental health and addictions counselors.Mental health and addictions counselors. Consistent personal and professional Consistent personal and professional

support to those in trouble with support to those in trouble with substances.substances.

What has worked, What has worked, continuedcontinued Alcohol and Drug ServicesAlcohol and Drug Services Medical and Social ServicesMedical and Social Services RCMPRCMP Alcoholics AnonymousAlcoholics Anonymous Rational RecoveryRational Recovery

Accessing a variety of optionsAccessing a variety of options