‘Choose your ride’ message reinforced
Yvette John and Chawathil Elder Pat John celebrate the coming together of so many people with so many different backgrounds in the fight against drug and alcohol addiction.
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Updated: November 25, 2009 3:57 PM
Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Chawathil First Nations joined forces to recognize National Addiction Awareness Week at Cooper’s Food, last Wednesday.
The annual event highlights the decisions and the consequences youth face each time they go out at night.
The ‘Choose Your Ride’ campaign reminds youth that they can end their evening in a taxicab, an ambulance, a police car or a hearse.
Pat John, speaking on behalf of Chawathil Chief Ron John, said, “people need to recognize that addictions know no boundaries and cross all of the races.
“We will continue to know this disease… we can only work against it together.”
Mayor Laurie French and Union Bar Band Chief Andy Alex attended the afternoon event, along with a representative from the Shwx’ow’hamil First Nation, Fraser Health Authority and First Nations RCMP.
As a drug and alcohol worker with the Fraser Health Authority, Mervin Felix said that the ceremony’s opening song by Yvette John, is representative of the many people that fall into addictions. Addiction has caused a lot of destruction to families and community.”
“We can’t do it ourselves, all the communities in the Upper Fraser Valley have to work together from Shwx’ow’hamil to Boothroyd.”
“It is hard to get an individual away from crack cocaine or worse, crystal meth, the devil’s drug. But I am glad to see the people here today fighting this battle together, so that our grandchildren will never know what it is like to be drunk on alcohol or high on drugs.”
RCMP Constable J. D, Ryan said drug addiction goes beyond the break and enters that take place to feed a habit, to the human toll of having to notify the next of kin of the overdose of a loved one. It is a difficult challenge to help someone through addiction but “be the best family member you can be, help a family member through an addiction.”
A multi-media ‘Choose Your Ride’ presentation was made earlier in the afternoon to students of the Hope Secondary School. The presentation was later repeated at a dinner at the Chawathil First Nation new community centre.
