Increasing Awareness and Understanding of Problematic Substance Use Reducing Alcohol-Related Harms Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Preventing the Problematic Use of Pharmaceuticals Addressing Enforcement Issues Sustaining Workforce Development Implementing a National Research Agenda and Facilitating Knowledge Transfer Improving the quality, accessibility and range of options to treat harmful substance use including substance use disorders (Treatment) Modernizing Legislative, Regulatory and Policy Frameworks Focusing on Children and Youth Reaching Out to Canada’s North Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis People in Addressing Their Needs Responding to Offender-Related Issues Raising Public Awareness About Addictions: Creating Momentum for Action National Alcohol Policy Thematic Workshop National Thematic Workshop on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Preventing the Harmful Use of Psychotropic Pharmaceuticals National Thematic Workshop on Enforcement Police and Policing Partners: Supply Management and Demand Reduction Workforce Development Thematic Workshop National Thematic Workshop on Research National Thematic Workshop on Improving the Quality, Accessibility, and Range of Options to Treat Harmful Substance Use Including Substance Use Disorders (Treatment) National Thematic Workshop on Corrections National Symposium on Language

Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis People in Addressing Their Needs

Problematic substance use poses serious harms to Aboriginal peoples both on and off reserve and in rural and urban settings. The problematic use of alcohol by Aboriginal peoples is four times the national average and is associated with low employment, family violence and suicide. FASD and solvent abuse are also particular challenges for Aboriginal children and youth. Like Canada's northern communities, some Aboriginal communities also face issues of isolation, both social and geographic. Barriers such as language, geography and lack of culturally sensitive services pose significant challenges to accessing health care and treatment.  

There has been an abundance of research on how to best address the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.  Addressing the root causes of problematic substance use in Aboriginal communities is considered critical. There is also a need to provide access to treatment using a holistic approach, recognizing the involvement of the individual and the whole community. Training and capacity building within First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and empowering Aboriginal peoples to develop and implement their own culturally sensitive strategies are important to achieving long-term sustainable progress. In working towards this goal, Federal, Provincial, Territorial Ministers of Health and Aboriginal Affairs and the Leaders of the five National Aboriginal Organizations are developing a Blueprint on Aboriginal Health. Each of the five major national Aboriginal organizations is developing a strategic plan within the context of the Blueprint. 

Approaches for Aboriginal peoples living on and off reserve also need to be coordinated.  As well, the high level of mobility among Aboriginal peoples, particularly youth, between rural and urban centres is a factor in the ability to provide and access programs and services. 

Update 

Dialogue is on-going on appropriate steps to help ensure the relevance of the National Framework and its significance as a vehicle for supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in developing and implementing strategies to address the unique needs of Aboriginal peoples.