ISUARSIVIK TREATMENT CENTRE BACK IN BUSINESS

Facility Aims To Be Beacon For Inuit Seeking Freedom From Alcohol Or Drugs

KUUJJUAQ - The Isuarsivik treatment centre in Kuujjuaq is back in
operation, having recently completed its first six-week residential
treatment program for a group of five male clients from several
Nunavik communities.

When the men came to the program, they were "scared, unsure,
scattered and troubled," says executive director Annie Gordon.

But when they finished, she says they were more grounded and sure of
themselves.

"Their self-esteem was higher and they have skills to deal with
relapse," she said.

Gordon hopes that Isuarsivik will become a beacon for Inuit who want
to free themselves from alcohol or drug abuse.

However, Nunavimmiut face greater challenges than southerners, Gordon
says, because 80 per cent of adults in the region have problems with
addictions or trauma, whereas the opposite is true in southern Quebec.

That's why Isuarsivik also plans to work with clients on issues to
related to emotional trauma.

Like the Mamisarvik treatment program in Ottawa, Isuarsivik has
structured program, involving lots of group therapy sessions,
one-on-one counselling, good food as well as elder's visits, exercise
and on-the-land activities.

Inuktitut is the language of treatment and Inuit culture is
integrated into all aspects of the program.

"Part of the program is to get back what we had," Gordon said. "And
be proud to be an Inuk."

The centre's staff has developed 13 Inuit principles to guide clients
through recovery: "Love, caring and sharing are the foundation of
Inuit values. I will learn to accept that others love and care for
me. I will share that love and caring for my family and community,"
reads principle 11.

The Nechi Institute, an aboriginal centre in British Columbia, is
training the centre's staff, which includes Roda Grey, a registered
nurse, and long-time counsellor Eva Lepage.

All are close to obtaining their certification as drug and alcohol counsellors.

Isuarsivik then plans to seek re-certification as a full-fledged
treatment centre, which will allow the centre to once again receive
clients from Nunavut.

In 2005, the centre fired its former executive director, shut down
and embarked on a total restructuring.

During this period, Nunavimmiut who wanted addictions treatment had
to find other treatment programs in Ottawa or Goose Bay.

This wasn't the first time Isuarsivik had crashed to a halt: in 2000,
Isuarsivik closed temporarily due to a lack of funds and a need to
overhaul its staff and operations.

Dave Forrest, chairman of Isuarsivik's board, says the centre now
looks to the future with optimism: for the first time in its history,
the centre's budget is $1.3 million, thanks to a windfall grant of
$600,000 from Quebec.

However, Isuarsivik is looking for money to build a larger, more
modern facility for a regional treatment centre in Kuujjuaq.

It's still located in one of the oldest buildings in Kuujjuaq, which
used to house the American armed forces during the 1950s, and
maintaining the present aging facility is very expensive, with
heating alone running at about $50,000 a year.

The board has applied to Nunavik's "Safer Communities" program for
financial help to build a new $8 million, 22-bed treatment centre and
housing for six staff.

Their application will be given more strength by the findings of the
Qanuippitaa health survey, released on Dec. 12 in Kuujjuaq.

It found heavy drinking is widespread in Nunavik, with nearly one in
four drinkers reported having five or more drinks on one occasion every week.

Use of drugs, including marijuana and cocaine, is also three to four
times higher in the region than in the rest of Canada.

Marijuana is by far the most commonly used drug in Nunavik. Although
it is used by eight or nine men in 10, aged 15 to 24, its use is also
widespread among women as well as men and women under 45. Isuarsivik
plans to offer treatment cycles for groups of either nine men or women in 2008.

For more information, call the centre at 1-866-964-9994.