SK MHA Needs Assessment Final Report

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National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) Renewal Process

The high levels of alcohol, prescription and illicit drug, and solvent abuse among on-reserve populations is a priority health concern for Health Canada and Canada’s First Nations communities. The profound burden of disease and harm associated with substance use problems in First Nations communities - with economic loss, disability, suffering and death - requires the most effective, culturally-relevant continuum of services possible.

Health Canada’s National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) Renewal Process, is a comprehensive, culturally-relevant and evidence-informed review of the program. This initiative seeks to re-examine the program to determine if any modifications should be considered to enhance, renew and validate on-reserve addiction prevention and treatment services. Through a variety of inter-related activities including regional needs assessments, the Renewal Process seeks to engage First Nations communities, service providers, representative organizations and other key stakeholders in developing a strategic vision and program framework for NNADAP that will guide program planning and service delivery over the next five to ten years.

Previous reviews of the NNADAP have acknowledged the strengths of the program which have helped many communities to reduce or prevent substance use problems. However, reviews have also identified that there is a continued need to enhance the coordination and integration of services, both regionally and nationally. It follows that the program stands to benefit from a comprehensive review.

This initiative (Health Canada’s NNADAP Renewal Process) is funded by the Government of Canada’s National Anti-Drug Strategy (NADS), and is a collaborative effort of the Assembly of First Nations, the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation, and the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada.

Regional Needs Assessment Process

In 2008/09 each First Nations and Inuit Health (FNIH) region of Health Canada, in partnership with First Nations organizations, completed regional needs assessments on their addiction prevention and treatment services as part of the NNADAP Renewal Process.
These assessments have identified key gaps, overlaps, and strengths within regional addiction services in order to inform strategic planning efforts in each region.

Mental Health was incorporated into the Saskatchewan Region needs assessment to capture relevant data on both mental health and addictions services within the region. National needs assessments guidelines were adapted to reflect the integration of mental health elements and provide consistency across all the regions for drawing meaningful conclusions.

In Saskatchewan, an ad-hoc Oversight Committee was created with a mandate to provide feedback on the needs assessment work plan, design and process; identify gaps, review and provide feedback on status update reports; and provide advice and make suggestions on appropriate additions or deletions on assessment instruments, with particular attention to the protocol and cultural needs of First Nations;

Committee Membership consisted of:
1.  a FNIH regional consultant
2.  an Elder
3.  a NNADAP/YSAP Treatment Centre Director
4.  a NNADAP Prevention Worker
5.  a Addictions Consultant
6.  a Mental Health Consultant
7.  a Mental Health Therapist
8.  a Health Director
9.  a Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator
10.    a Resolution Health Support Worker
11.    a representative from Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
12.    a representative from the Province of Saskatchewan

Now that regional needs assessments are completed, FNIH National Office is hosting a National NNADAP Renewal Forum in January 2010. Representatives from each FNIH region (including two members of the Saskatchewan Oversight Committee) will participate in the Forum to present and discuss their completed needs assessments, review key national findings and make recommendations.  The priorities and activities identified at this Forum will be considered together with the regional needs assessments, and will serve as the foundation for the renewed NNADAP program framework.

For more information on this initiative or the Saskatchewan needs assessment findings, please contact First Nations and Health in Saskatchewan at (306) 780-8060. For further information and updates on the National NNADAP Renewal process we encourage you to visit www.nnadaprenewal.ca.