Health & Wellness / Indian Alcohol & Substance Abuse Program

Leslie Steve, MA, LADC
I.A.S.A.P. Coordinator
License Number: 281-L

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Leslie Steve, MA, LADC, IASAP Coordinator
Tribal Wellness, Indian Alcohol
and Substance Abuse Program
1001 Rio Vista Road, Fallon, NV 89406
Phone: 775-423-8065 ext. 221
Fax: 775-423-8751

The Indian Alcohol & Substance Abuse Program was started in September 2006 to coordinate a drug/alcohol diversion program funded by the Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice. The Indian Alcohol & Substance Abuse Program (IASAP) Tribal Wellness Program has 3 main goals:

1. To implement a structured substance abuse program;
2. To improve service coordination among agencies involved with substance abusers and their families;
3. To increase prosecution of those engaged in illegal drug and alcohol transportation, distribution or use.

This program provides an additional substance abuse counselor and probation officer who work closely with the Tribal Court and provide interventions as part of sentencing individuals who commit substance-related offenses.  There is a minimum one year commitment to participate in maximize the likelihood for living a substance free lifestyle.

 Interventions include:

• Individual counseling
• Probation meetings
• Educational sessions
• Drug and alcohol testing
• Probation meetings
• Collaborations with tribal and non-tribal agencies involved in program participants

The Tribal Wellness Program collaborates with the Tribal Youth Program and the State-wide Native American Coalition to hold community awareness events on substance abuse and delinquency issues.

The national average for treatment episodes is seven. Addictions to alcohol and other substances are difficult to beat, but no one should be unworthy of the chances to keep trying to live a substance-free life and to rebuild trust with family and friends.

There is hope...

BUT it is up to the individual to take the opportunity for getting on the path and staying on it.

Here Is A Bit More Information…

There were 19 accidents on reservation roads in 2005. DUI citations were issued in 3 of those accidents. 6 of the 19 accidents involved alcohol or drugs on roads approaching or near the reservation /colony. Sadly, there were two fatalities. 

Social Services reported that 90% of those under the court’s supervision for child abuse/neglect cases are in the 20-30 year age range. Of these cases, 40% are alcohol & substance abuse related.

Of the arrests involving alcohol and substance abuse, in approximately 88% of reported cases alcohol is the primary substance used, 6% is marijuana, 4% is methamphetamines, and 2% are heroine cases. In addition, prescription pain medications are associated with the substance abuse problems on the Reservation & Colony.

These cases are not just statistics, they are our family members, friends, people we love and care about, and at times are angry with.