Notes From 2011 Annual Report
THE NATIVE ADDICTIONS COUNCIL OF MANITOBAANNUAL REPORT APRIL 1, 2010 - MARCH 31, 2011
The Native Addictions Council of Manitoba (NACM) became 39 years old on February 21, 2011. Much has taken place since the first staff members set up office on James. Street. Their desks and chairs were coke boxes in a room that was surrounded by chicken wire. Now, many years later, hundreds of thousands of First People and others have benefited from the services that still continue today. A celebration is being planned for the 40th anniversary in February 2012.
NACM received accreditation status until 2014 from Accreditation Canada in February of this year. We are proud of this accomplishment that is continued, not only to achieve accreditation, but to always improve the services we provide.Through the year, many policies, procedures and committees were developed or revised to accommodate the improvements made to our programs and services. There are three major mandated committes among staff that operate continually: The Health and Safety Committee, the Critical Incident Team and the Self-Care Committee. Much is renewed in operating and maintaining our agency's mission and vision so that quality programming will be consistent. We still operate with culturally relevant programs that are beneficial to First People, but are also targeted for anyone who has a desire to have an addiction-free lifestyle.
Concerning finances, our organizations' auditor has given us a clear opinion which is reported to be the best rating. As is usual, NACM has used all funding with good accountability. Our two major funders are Manitoba Healthy Living, Seniors and Youth (MHLSY) and First Nations and Inuit Health (FNIH). The Aborigional Healing Foundation funded and extra quarter at the first fiscal quarter in 2010 for April 2010 through June 2010. This allotment is no longer available.
Fundraising for this year has not produced any significant amount of money. We have solicited funds from several sources and are continually trying to make strides for purchasing land for NACM and for a new building. This year we have been offered money from FNIH to again build a new treatment centre, and it was again withdrawn even though we have a Memorandum of Understanding with a First Nation Community to build on some of their property. Getting land suitable for the purposes of treating addictions certainly has not been easy or attainable.
The number of applicants for our programs in the fiscal year 2010/2011 was just under 2000. The highest number of applicants were 25 to 34 year olds which were 38%. Next is the 35 to 44 year old at 27% of all applicants. The 18 to 24 year olds as well as the 45 and older groups were both at 17%. Youth were only 1% of our statistical data.
Primary substances abused were alcohol, narcotics and tobacco. As is evident, narcotics, which include marijuana, cocaine and crack is the second highest abused substance group after alcohol. Tobacco misuse is the third highest drug that was declared by our program participants. Prescription drugs misuse continues to rise as is a real concern. Of all substances that are being misued, prescription drugs are more widely accepted, sinc they are assumed to be professionally prescribed. They have risen 18.6% since last year's report and this is just amoung our program participants. What might the numbers be in the greater society?
Culturally relevant programs are still the focus of Native Addictions Council of Manitoba. Programs offered through NACM include:
Alcholics Anonymous meets twice a week on site and Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous meet once per week also on site. They are twelve step groups that people can learn about and possibly join as an option for a preferred continuation of care.
The Native Addictions Council of Manitoba is connected not only to all referral sources such as National Native Drug and Alcohol Programs, NNADAP, CFS agencies, the Courts, the Hospitals, Main Street Project and Detox, HSC probation services, etc., but to a larger network as well. NACM is part of a Health Living, Seniors and Youth MHLYS Network of like-funded organizations, the Manitoba First Nations Addictions Committee MFNAC, a regional group which is also part of a national Network called the National Native Addiction Partnership Foundation NNAPF, as well as CIHR, which is a national research project, now known as "Stilettos to Mocassins".
Some of the accomplishments this past year have been:
Part of our work plan for this fiscal year includes:
NACM has had a very positive and healing effect not only in the immediate area, but in most areas of the province and country. An independent comment from a professional community member recently stated "NACM a.k.a. Pritchard House has a very important presence. Most individuals know about Pritchard House and that they can get help there. People see you as a resource that addresses needs not found anywhere else." She further stated that the organization seldom refuses to assist people even if addiction isn't their primary concern. Such positive feedback is common regarding our organization and our holistic approach. Most people who have taken our programs readily express gratitude for our services and the kind ways of our staff.
We are grateful to each person who has been involved in our programs. We thank all the staff, both past and present, and our elder all of whom are major contributors to the success of individuals and NACM. And we also thank the Board of Directors, past and present, who volunteer their time and energy to further the Vision and Mission of NACM.
Submitted by:
Bertha Fontaine
Executive Director
Native Addictions Council of Manitoba
Address Of The Chief Governing Officer
Address of Chief Governing Officer to The 39th Assembly: Carrying The Tourch
Introduction:
Welcome to the Native Addictions Council of Manitoba's 39th annual assembly! I've chosen to call this year's theme "Carrying the Tourch". It is in the same spirit of the rcent Olympians that we continue to carry the torch for the many First Peoples affected by the need for healing from addictions and its multifaceted impact on the lives of so many individuals, families and communities. My heart also goes out to the administration of NACM and the many workers among us who continue to strive for a more excellent way of living in this world. As Jack Layton had remarked recently before his passing, "My friends, love is better than anger; Hope is better than fear; Optimism is better than despair; So, let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we shall change the world." In that sense, my hope is that we continue to carry the torch for many more years to come for in February, 2012 we will be celebrating forty years of existence as an organization. It may seem trivial but, when NACM started, many of us were only teenagers whild some of us weren't even born yet.
The foregoing report outlines the basic activities for the last year and the successes we have managed in the face of ongoing trials.
ACCREDITATION:
The Governing Council participate in the accreditation process this year. The organization, as a whole, was engaged in this process. We have, once again, been certified and recognized as an accredited institution through Accreditation Canada via Health Canada. We have reason to be proud of this initiative, not only because we have the same accreditation status as hospitals and other health institutions, but also, because we are spearheading the accreditation drive, as well, of First Peoples' organizations across Canada!
POLICIES:
Periodically, the need to address more issues via policies emerges. This year we have passed three very significant policies for our use in the future:
...My friends, this completes my report for this year once again. As this coming year is a very special year for our organization, I would like to wish everyone monumental success in carrying the torch of love, hope and optimism to all those around us... Thank you kindly. CHIEF GOVERNING OFFICER.
Statistics
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