Nation Looking At Rehab Programs

Nation Looking At Rehab Programs

By Sharon Turano sturano@post-journal.com

‘‘We know that there’s a problem everywhere.’’ • Dawn Miller, Catt. County Community Services 1/18/2008 - Seneca Nation of Indians officials are researching statistics to determine if there is a need for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility on their reservations.

Sue Abrams, executive assistant to Seneca President Maurice A. John Sr., said the research is being done, along with a budget being put together, so information can be presented to the Nation’s governing body, the Tribal Council, during its February session.

The Tribal Council, which meets at least once a month, gave authorization at a recent meeting for the studies to be done.

‘‘When you live in a small community, you are aware of issues. As in any community in the United States, drug and alcohol abuse infiltrates into the community,’’ Mrs. Abrams said. Nation officials want to provide a better future for Senecas, she said, adding that includes helping those with drug or alcohol problems.

She said several sites are being looked at for the facility, and the research will try to determine how best to provide services. For instance, she said, the standard length of treatment is 28 days. Research done so far, however, shows the most successful programming occurs when treatment is provided for a longer time. A facility with overall longer treatment, a half-way house, holistic family programming and treatment tailored to Senecas that incorporates culture are being considered.

Mrs. Abrams said officials do not want to treat just one person, but rather a whole family. How best to do so was part of a recent conference held in Salamanca, where representatives from four Native American treatment facilities spoke about how to incorporate culture into rehabilitation treatment. Mrs. Abrams said sweat lodges, medicine men and natural forms of healing may be included in the facility.

Seneca professionals working in the field have been hired to analyze how to provide treatment.

Doing some research is Dawn Miller, who also works for Cattaraugus County’s Community Services. She said she has found that different buildings for youth and adults should be considered.

‘‘We know that there’s a problem everywhere,’’ she said, adding it is not specific to the reservation. She has learned it is difficult for a lot of youth to access treatment to address the problem, however. That is because they do not meet eligibility requirements for insurance and cultural needs for Seneca are also not being met, she said. A belief system, helping youths identify themselves as Native Americans and incorporating optional traditional ceremonies as part of rehabilitation could be incorporated into the facility, she said.

Others doing the research could not be reached for comment.

Mrs. Abrams said the idea to build such a facility comes from President John.

‘‘He really believes it’s one of his pledges to fulfill,’’ she said.

How to fulfill that, along with where and when, is expected to be determined by February’s end.

Source: The Post Journal