. do-Anne Ress Centributing Writer A forum wes held carli- - ef this year in September at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre on a new phrase being ban- tered about in the com- ‘munity: Secure Care Act (SCA). The provincial government passed this act which legalizes “the confinement of youth - deemed tu be at serious risk of harm or injury to them- selves.” :.. The act aliows youth to be confined for up to 30 days with only a Secure Care -, Certificate. I believe the act '- violates sections of the . Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Convention of the Rights of . the Child. The implementation of “this act will have major reper- cussions for all aboriginal “communities. The act punish- ‘es youth whose crime is being, _ subject to the failure of the ‘ system. Rather than address- — ing the root causes of poverty, homelessness, abuse, lack of upport to children and fami- “lies, failure of federal fiduciary © ‘responsibility, along with the - legacy of colonization and * genocide, the government is” addressing the symptoms. - Youth red by the act “,are those with severe sub-- ‘Stance misuse or addiction or who are sexually exploited. These youth are already extremely marginalized. They currently ceceive very litde support and few services. Knowing they may be detained could drive them even further underground, away from much needed basic services and resources. There are few resources for sexually exploited children and youth. Save the Children estimates there are 400 chii- dren and youth being sexually exploited in the Greater Yancouver area. One has to question why the government is spending resources on puni- tive legislation when the resources could be spent on real workable solutions. The SCA received its first reading June 26 as Bill 25. Its third reading and coyal assent was in July 6. The swiftness in passing the act, with no com- munity consultations with those most affected by this legislation, mainly aboriginal, immigrani, refugee and peo- ple of colour, shows the gov- ernment has no qualms about the continual stealing of our children and youth. The Ministry of Children and Families’ Strategic Pian for Aboriginal Services com- mits MCF to respectful con- sultation with aboriginal com- munities. There are also provincial framework agreements between MCF and the Aboriginal People’s Council and some First Nations bands which call for consultations. Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution guar- antees “inherent aboriginal rights.” Whar could be more inherent than the right to determine what is in che best $4875 down or 1 equsab lade, 36 mo tease At few w vehicles purchased at Mountview ins the worth of Nover| Wednesday, November 22, 2000 ished by Secure Gare - North Shore News - 57 ci ing of healthy communities? — Jo-Anne Rass works at End Legisinted Poverty. End Legistated Laverty is a coalition of B.C. groups that want Sov- ermments to reduce and end poverty. of residential schools and the stealing of our children in the scoop of the 1930s, 1960s and 1970s one would ques- tion what the motive of the SCA is: the continual break- down of families or the build- be a commodity. Ir demon- strates how the onslaught of cultural genocide and colo- nization of aboriginal peoples is still alive and well today. What century are we in? * With the infamous legacy interest of aboriginal peoples” children and youth and the right to care for and protect aboriginal children and youth? 1 believe this act shows that our children continue to Substance abuse measures announced THREE new programs designed to help com- munities across the province fight substance misuse were announced recently by Edward Joiim, minister for chil- dren and famili In cenjunction with Drug Awareness Week: 2000, John announced grants totalling $110,000 to help communities identify and meet local preven- tion and health-prometion needs. “Prevention is the best way to tackle substance abuse,” said John. “Through grants like these, the province will contin- ue tO support communities as they set up and improve their OWN awareness programs.” This year also marks the first online edition of the Directory of — Addiction Services in British Columbia. The directory is used by professionals who work in the fields of substance misuse and problem gambling. The online edition will complement a hard-copy version produced through a partnership between the B.C. government and the Kaiser Youth Foundation. The online directory can be reached through the Ministry for Children and Families Web site at or the Vancouver Public Library's Web site at) , A third program announced during | Drug Awareness Week is 2 series of learning workshops for the province’s alcoho! and drug prevention workers. These workshops will take place in March 2001 in the Lower Mainland. “Like other professionals, prevention workers need to stay on top of the latest devel- opment in their field,” said John. “These workshops will help them do thar, which will make them more effective in preventing substance abuse in our communities.” Drug Awareness. 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