Meeting Date: January 11, 2013
Update from David “Wolf” Diaz
Substance Abuse Committee: Eric LaChappa, Mark Romero, David Diaz & Anthony Pico
SCTCA Staff: Denis Turner, Executive Director & Recording Secretary
Guest: Dr. David Tweedy
The Topic of the Substance Abuse Committee meeting was the different aspects of the Youth Regional Treatment Center (YRTC).The members from the YRTC committee Johnny Hernandez, Stephanie Spencer, Levon Peck, and Chris Devers attended this meeting and the director of the human services from the Rincon Indian Health Council Dr. David Tweedy was a guest.
Funding for the YRTC was discussed and how the Indian Health Services would play a role in this. The Indian Health Services is the Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Another possible funding source is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which is a Federal organization. Within SMAHSA there are centers and one of them is the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). In order to receive Federal funding SAMHSA/CSAT has various publications on protocols for treatment centers and one of them is called the Treatment of Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders, we will be ordering copies of this in the near future. SAMHSA also has a program called Circle of Care which gives tribes and urban Indian organizations 3-year grants to identify and analyze community needs systematically. The grants provide funding to develop culturally appropriate strategies that can be put into action effectively.
The onset of substance use is occurring at younger ages, resulting in more adolescents entering treatment for substance use disorders than has been observed in the past. In order to treat this population effectively, treatment providers must address the issues that play significant roles in an adolescent's life, such as cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and moral development, and family and peer environment. The culturally appropriate aspect of the YRTC is a significant factor in developing ideas for the structure of this center in order for it to be effective in reducing the impact of substance abuse in Indian Country.
The possibility of incorporating equine therapy was discussed
The possibility of including gardening therapy was talked about
Walk of the Warrior update; I have submitted a proposal for starting a Narcotics Anonymous meeting at the Rincon Indian Health Council multipurpose room. The Pala NA meeting is going strong with a steady turnout and the San Pasqual meeting could use some support.
Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association Substance Abuse Update
