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Paiute tribe offers 'Prime for Life'

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Thursday, 06 May 2010

Paiute tribe offers 'Prime for Life' BY NUR KAUSAR This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it May 6, 2010 CEDAR CITY - Since the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah began its Prime for Life drug and alcohol education program two years ago, every participant who has registered for the course has successfully completed the program. For PFL Coordinator Shanda Francisco, that is saying a lot, especially for tribal members who have dealt with substance abuse at a generational level. A common belief for Native Americans that directly contributes to high-risk alcohol and drug abuse is the social norm behind it, Francisco said Wednesday in a wing of the Cedar City tribal building, located at 440 N. Paiute Drive. "They are growing up with alcoholism in the family and think it's normal," Francisco said. PITU Substance Abuse Counselor and PFL Instructor Polk noted the biological influence that adds to the risk, with alcohol abuse continuing through generations of a Native American family starting with the early settlers. "When they got stuck on the reservations, they got rations and had to adapt to foods they weren't used to eating, like flour and lard," Polk said. "Their activities changed, and then you throw alcohol into the mix, and it becomes recreational." Polk said this course, with its Native American context, allows participants to see that history and transformation, and brings powerful emotions out as a result to help with the sobriety process. "Being able to look at the truth is hard sometimes," Polk said. "A common Native American philosophy is the concern about what is true, and this program shows in a nice, gentle manner that philosophy." PITU Social Worker and PFL Instructor James Plonowski said he liked the program because it is not "preachy." "I've talked to many other social workers and instructors who use the program, and many have said it is the only one that takes away the denial factor," Plonowski said. "There is accountability, and that is empowering." Francisco added, although people come into the program thinking they are predisposed for lifetime alcoholism because of their roots, they realize they are not predestined for it. PFL is not, however, a counseling course, as the entire program is 16 hours and usually court-ordered as a result of a DUI or substance abuse-related offense. People can also voluntarily take the course, which includes interactive presentations, workbooks, videos and group and individual activities. The course is designed for people ages 16 and up, and is open to both Native and non-Native, Francisco said. Though the counselors are still gathering statistics on local substance abuse numbers, Polk said on a national level, the number of abusers who are Native Americans is three times higher than the general population. Plonowski added that he works as the foster care coordinator and on domestic violence cases, and more than 70 percent of referrals come out of a substance abuse case here. All certified PFI instructors rotate between classes in Cedar City and the Shivwits Indian Reservation located seven miles west of Ivins. Upcoming classes in Cedar City are today, May 12, 20 and 27. For more information, contact Francisco at 435-586-1112 ext. 504. The program costs $200 for PITU tribal members and $250 for non-tribal participants. http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20100506/NEWS01/5060333

 

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