ADDICTS, ALCOHOLICS ASKED TO LEAVE NATIVE COMMUNITY

Dozen People Kicked Out After Being Warned to Clean Up or Else

A dozen members of the remote First Nations community of Ahousaht were
asked to leave by nightfall yesterday for not getting help with drug
and alcohol-abuse problems.

The 12 were among 30 people told by the band's hereditary chiefs in
late March that if they did not get help, they would be forced to
leave Ahousaht. The goal is to make the Flores Island community safer.
"They've had a lot of warning," said chief councillor John O. Frank,
who was working with Ahousaht RCMP to notify those who failed to
follow the order. Frank said telling people to leave is a
gut-wrenching job.

"It's one of those days I wish somebody else would do it for me,"
Frank said. "How do you tell family to get out?"

The Ahousaht First Nation has 1,800 members, with 800 living on the
reserve. Flores Island is a 45-minute boat trip from Tofino.

"This is Ahousaht speaking, 'Let's make change for the betterment,' "
Frank explained. " I stand up with the chiefs for the community's
well-being."

The other 18 people ordered to clean up are participating in an
eight-week intensive treatment process rooted in the Nuu-chah-nulth
culture at Hot Springs Cove, on the Sidney Inlet.

The evictions come on the same day as nominations for chief councillor
and the council of chiefs for Ahousaht.

"Some people say I'm committing political suicide, but I don't care if
that's true," Frank said. "I'm here to serve a purpose, not be popular."

About three years ago, 20 people were sent off the island for
treatment in Zeballos. Many relapsed and were among the 30 told to get
help.