AHOUSAHT EVICTS MEMBERS WHO DID NOT GET HELP WITH SUBSTANCE
ABUSE

Others Complied and Got Treatment

On Tuesday, Ahousaht officials coordinated the eviction of a dozen
members who refused to get help with their drug or alcohol abuse after
receiving ample warning in late March that they had to get help or get
out.

Two or three people have now left Flores Island and the others will
most likely return to treatment, according to John O. Frank, chief
councillor. "Everything is done and now we're moving forward," Frank
said.

He said the effort to clean up Ahousaht has already made a notable
difference in the community's safety. One local woman approached Frank
and said she already feels more comfortable to let her granddaughter
"go out and not have to worry about her coming home drunk or drugged
up."

Ahousaht evicted two or three members of the dozen who refused to get
treatment for their substance abuse. The others may return to get
help, according to John O. Frank, chief councillor.

Ahousaht wants change for the betterment of its youth," Frank said.
"It won't be a squeaky clean path but at least we're making
movement...and we'll keep moving forward in a positively good way."

In late March, 30 people were made aware that if they did not get help
for their substance abuse they would be forced to leave Ahousaht.
"They've had a lot of warning," Frank said.

Frank worked with the Ahousaht RCMP to notify the members who had
until nightfall to vacate. "It's one of those days I wish somebody
else would do it for me," Frank told the Westerly last week.

"It's gut wrenching right now and a very big challenge for me. How do
you tell family to get out?" Originally Frank planned to hand the
notices out last Thursday, but due to wording they were sent back to
lawyers.

Ahousaht has 800 people living on the Flores Island community with
1,800 members in total. 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."

Others are still participating in the eight-week intensive treatment
process embedded in Nuu-chah-nulth culture at Hot Springs Cove, on the
Sidney Inlet. "It took courage for those people to take part in that
program," Frank said.

The evictions come at around the same time nominations are made 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."

April 15 the electoral officer received nominations for the candidates
and on June 1 an election will be held. About three years ago a
similar event occurred when 20 people were sent off the island for
treatment in Zeballos. Many of those people had relapses and were
among the 30 told to get help.