Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of BCSeptember 24, 2015

Developing a Substance Abuse Management Program in your

Workplace

Presentation by Peter Vlahos, Special Projects, FNHA

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Substance Abuse Management in the Workplace;History and Context

Brief Background and history of NNADAP NNADAP Program Areas: Prevention, Intervention, Aftercare Referral Guidelines for NNADAP Treatment Centers in BC NNADAP Review Process in BC Questions and Group Discussion: Strategies for developing

a substance misuse program in your workplace

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Background

NNADAP originated in the mid-1970s as part of a national pilot project to address alcohol and drug abuse. The program was made permanent in 1982 because of the "urgent and visible nature of alcohol and drug abuse among First Nations people and Inuit". This stability enabled NNADAP to better coordinate with other programs in the promotion of community health and sober lifestyles.

Currently there are 49 NNADAP treatment centers / programs (12 in BC) providing approximately 695 beds.

Nationally, NNADAP supports over 550 community substance misuse prevention programs with over 700 workers - almost all employed by First Nations and Inuit communities. Program activities vary, based on the size and needs of each community and the availability of skilled workers, but they generally fall into three key areas:

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Prevention

Prevention activities, aimed at preventing serious alcohol and other drug abuse problems, include:

Public awareness campaigns; Public meetings; Public speaking; Developing content for schools on alcohol and drug abuse; School programs; News media work; and Cultural and spiritual events.

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Intervention

Intervention activities, aimed at dealing with existing abuse problems at the earliest possible stage, include:

Recreation activities for youths; Discussion groups and social programs; and Native spiritual and cultural programs.

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Aftercare

Aftercare activities, aimed at preventing alcohol and drug abuse problems from reoccurring, include:

Counselling; Sharing circles; Support groups; Crisis intervention; Support visits; Outreach visits; Treatment Center referrals; Detox referrals; Social service referrals; Medical referrals; and Band services referrals.

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Referral Guidelines for NNADAP Treatment Centers in BC

FNHA Eligible Clients are: Status Indians and Recognized Inuit

Referral must be to the closest NNADAP-funded Treatment Centre, where there is no fee for eligible clients

One treatment cycle is approved for any given fiscal year (treatment and patient transportation assistance where necessary)

Clients must see a counsellor at least six times prior to the referral being done and an assessment must be done by the referral worker.

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Referral Guidelines for NNADAP Treatment Centers in BC

Client is free of all commitments to the judicial system: Clients currently involved in the court process will not be approved. If treatment is mandated by the courts, e.g. conditional sentence, it will not be approved by the Branch. If the client has served their time and decides on their own to go for treatment, it will be approved.

FNHA is the agency of last resort, so clients with the employee benefit packages/coverage under social assistance/other benefit plans must access those benefits first.

Referrals to licensed Non-NNADAP Centres are to be dealt with on a case-by case basis.

Exceptions are made to address: gaps-in-service/Methadone Maintenance clients/Concurrent Disorders clients. The maximum benefit payable for Non-NNADAP programs is $40.00/client day.

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NNADAP Review Phase I: Key Themes

1. Improve Access2. Enhance Partnerships, Coordination and

Communication3. Strengthen Information Management and System

Support4. Enhance Governance Structures and Processes5. Maintain and Strengthen Indigenous-based

Approaches6. Strengthen Service Integration throughout the

Continuum of Care (Case Management, Clinical Supervision, Data, Intake/Discharge)

7. Enhance HR Capacity and Retention, Training and Professional Development

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NNADAP Review: Phase II Regional Forums (action planning) Building on Phase I,

Share & Deepen Key Themes Prioritize Recommendations/ Next Steps Action Planning Network & Build/ Enhance Partnerships

Process guided by Region specific Working Groups, including representatives from:

• IRS Resolution Health Support Program• Community NNADAP Workers• NNADAP Treatment Centers• FNHA Regional Mental Health Advisors• FNHA Regional Directors• FNHDA (Health Directors)• Youth and Elders

Outcomes:

Regional Action Plans

Enhanced Partnerships & Service Integration

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NNADAP Review Phase II – Activities towards completing Region Specific Action Plans

• Regional Forum(s) starting on Vancouver Island (will inform follow up Regional Forums) - training day for NNADAP workers added

• Guiding documents: Reference manual will be created (focus on key themes generated from Phase 1 Review and other recent Reports, (e.g., Administration, Governance, Wellness Continuum, and Relationships and Partnerships);

• Regional client journey mapping /needs assessments to inform Action Plans

Questions & Discussion

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