AWARENESS OF ADDICTION RAISED

The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society has always taken National Addictions
Awareness Week seriously.

This year is no different.

The society has held several events this week in an effort to raise
awareness of a problem that cuts across the socioeconomic spectrum but which
affects aboriginals more than most.

Aboriginals in B.C. are over-represented within addictions statistics
relative to their percentage of the population.

Despite that, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society executive director Edna Terbasket
says aboriginals are also better equipped than others to overcome their
addictions.

"Ours is a holistic model which tries to balance the mental, emotional,
physical and spiritual aspects of the person," she says.

"Everybody, not just aboriginals, would benefit from that approach."

Still, Terbasket acknowledges that no one, aboriginal or other races, can
overcome an addiction unless they seek help.

"They have to want to get out of that cycle," she says.

"We can't pick them up and take them to treatment.

"We can assist them with services and support but we can't force them into
treatment."

But once they've made that step, aboriginals can access treatment centres
that incorporate their culture into their recovery.

There are nine First Nations treatment centres throughout the province
including the Round Lake Treatment Centre near Vernon.

Ron Wilson, an alcohol and drug counsellor with the society, says the
specialized treatment aboriginals with addictions problems can get there
overcomes the downside of having to leave their communities.

"There are cultural programs alongside the regular programs. Other treatment
centres aren't equipped for that," says Wilson.

"The big difference is they are able to learn about their identity, get back
to their roots and the traditions we use to heal our people. The success
rate is really quite good."

As part of National Addictions Awareness Week, the society is holding a
community walk.

Wilson says it's called Walk In Balance in reference to that holistic
healing model.

The walk takes place at 10 a.m. today from the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre
at 442 Leon Ave. to City Park and back. Joining the walk will be
representatives from the Kelowna RCMP and other social service agencies.