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Health Watch - May 2013

Author

Compiled by Shari Narine

Volume

31

Issue

2

Year

2013

New substance abuse strategy in context

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse has launched a national strategy on prescription drug abuse. “The Assembly of First Nations welcomed the opportunity to be part of the development of this national strategy along with other Indigenous organizations,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo in a news release. The strategy, entitled, First Do No Harm: Responding to Canada’s Prescription Drug Crisis, was developed around five streams of action: prevention, education, treatment, monitoring and surveillance, and enforcement. Together these action streams aim to prevent prescription drug-related harm to individuals, families and communities; educate and empower the public and promote healthy and safe communities; and promote appropriate prescribing and dispensing practices among healthcare practitioners, all while providing a contextual lens to First Nation, geographically remote, isolated and rural populations. The document acknowledges that key concepts must be used as the context for recommendations as applied to First Nation people and include historical and cultural context; social determinants of health; trauma and intergenerational trauma; cultural competency and safety; Elders and Indigenous knowledge; remote, isolated and rural communities; and jurisdiction and governance, whether at the individual, family, community, provincial or national level. As reported by Health Canada in 2011, First Nation communities participating in a national survey between 2008-2010, reported that alcohol and drug use and abuse was considered to be the number one challenge for community wellness faced by on-reserve communities.


Violence against women prevention funded

Six recipients are receiving funding from the Prevention of Violence Against Aboriginal Women Fund from the Yukon government. The projects funded are designed by and delivered for Aboriginal women to help prevent violence in their communities. Four one-year projects will each receive $25,000, while two projects that will span two years will receive a total of $50,000 each. “These six projects utilize innovative approaches to preventing and reducing violence in the lives of Aboriginal women in the Yukon,” said minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate Elaine Taylor in a news release. “This includes engaging men who choose not to be violent and an Elder mentor program to assist Aboriginal women at the women’s shelter and in second stage housing.” Since the development of the Prevention of Violence Against Aboriginal Women Fund in 2004, the Women’s Directorate has contributed about $1.5 million towards projects. The fund was established to help address the disproportionate levels of violence experienced by Aboriginal women in the Yukon. Due to a high demand for monetary support, the fund was doubled to $200,000 annually in 2009.


Federal Safe Streets and Communities Act a concern

B.C.’s provincial health officer has released “Health, Crime and Doing Time: Potential Impacts of the Safe Streets and Communities Act (Former Bill C-10) on the Health and Well-being of Aboriginal People in British Columbia.” The report, which was developed in response to federal legislation, finds that the Safe Streets and Communities Act will increase the likelihood that youth will be imprisoned, and that Aboriginal people, especially youth and youth in government care, are a vulnerable population that will be disproportionately affected by the act. “We are concerned that the new federal legislation represents a step backwards and creates circumstances that will likely result in still more Aboriginal youth and adults in prisons, and lower health status for Aboriginal people in correction facilities, as well as their families and communities,” said Dr. Evan Adams, deputy provincial health officer, in a news release. Aboriginal people represent approximately five per cent of the population of B.C., but represent over one-quarter of admissions into B.C. correctional centres. The report makes nine recommendations, including that the act be either revoked or substantially amended to ensure that it recognizes the unique history and context of Aboriginal people in Canada, and considers the mental, physical and emotional health and wellness of Aboriginal offenders. Other recommendations include improving collaboration between the health and justice sectors and with Aboriginal people; focusing on the prevention and diversion of crime; and undertaking comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the effects of the act.

Regina HIV findings startling
A pilot study of First Nations people in Regina that looks at HIV prevention, sexual activity and drug use indicates that almost half of those who tested positive for HIV didn’t know they were infected. The survey, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, found that of 1,045 people who gave blood samples, five per cent tested positive for the virus. The survey was conducted between December 2011 and June 15, 2012, with the help of the Aboriginal community, Regina health providers and AIDS groups. According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health there were 186 HIV cases reported in 2011 and 81 per cent were Aboriginal people.


Department of Family Services added to Nunavut government

As of April 1, the new Department of Family Services began operations as part of a restructured Nunavut government. Monica Ell is minister of the new department. All social services are now delivered out of Family Services. The mission of the Department of Family Services is to provide a one-window access to a range of programs and services to support families which will align government priorities in order to achieve the government’s Tamapta mandate. The government announced it was considering changes to the structure of operations in the 2011 budget, and announced it was examining the division of Health and Social Services in the 2012 budget. Changes reflect a report tabled by the Auditor General of Canada at the Legislative Assembly in 2011 entitled, “Child, Youth and Family Programs and Services in Nunavut.” The report identified the need to improve programs and services for children, youth and families.


Funding to provide mental health services at Ontario university

Niagara post-secondary students dealing with stress and other mental health issues will get access to 24-hour support, thanks to a new online portal and other services being supported by the Ontario government. The portal will be built upon an Aboriginal understanding of wellness, presenting mental health from the four aspects of well-being: emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual. Initially, the Holistic Wellness Initiative will be designed to respond to the needs of Aboriginal, MÈtis, and Inuit students. In 2014, activities will be expanded to respond to needs of all post-secondary students in Niagara. Brock University will receive $360,240 over three years to address growing concerns about student mental health issues. “Mental health issues are one of the most prominent health concerns on any campus,” said President Jack Lightstone. “Brock is committed to the wellbeing of its students and is very pleased to partner with the ministry through its initiative to support the mental health of post-secondary students.”