alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

[hornblower]

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/06/23/first-nations-swine-flu.html

Alcohol-based sanitizers for flu-hit First Nations delayed over substance abuse fears

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 10:41 PM ET Comments317Recommend103CBC News


Health Canada delayed the delivery of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to some First Nations communities affected by swine flu because of concerns the alcohol content might be abused, the senior public health adviser to the Assembly of First Nations told a Senate committee Tuesday.

Dr. Kim Barker said the incident was only one example of the way that the measures used so far to contain the swine flu pandemic have been ill-suited to the social realities of aboriginal communities.

"For example, First Nations were told to avoid contact with others, even though most live in cramped and overcrowded conditions," she said. "Similarly, they were told: 'Wash your hands frequently,' even though many did not have running water in their homes."

Canada's First Nations communities have been hit hard by the H1N1 influenza A virus, but there is no consistent approach to the outbreak across the country, Barker told the Senate committee on aboriginal peoples.

She called for an independent task force to study flu outbreaks in First Nations and report back with recommendations for a seamless approach across the country before the fall flu season.

The delay in delivering hand sanitizers "represented the type of paternalism that we have treated First Nations with for a very, very long time," said Liberal Senator Sharon Carstairs of Manitoba.

If Health Canada and Indian Affairs cannot organize the basic supplies, such as hand sanitizers and antivirals, then the military should be called in to provide proper housing and clean water as they do in Afghanistan, said Liberal Senator Charlie Watt of Quebec.

"If they can do it for the other countries, why can't they do it here in Canada?" Watt asked.

Barker likened the conditions on some reserves to those in "Mexican slums." The current swine flu pandemic began in Mexico in March

Approach not consistent
Conditions on reserves, such as poverty, overcrowding and lack of clean water, are ideal for the spread of the H1N1 influenza A virus and other infectious diseases like tuberculosis, Barker said.

So far, the approach to swine flu has not been consistent, she said.

In northwestern Ontario, the antiviral drug Tamiflu was flown in to treat anyone with symptoms, but other provinces did not take that step, citing concerns the practice could fuel viral resistance to the drug, CBC News has reported previously.

Chiefs were involved from the beginning in discussions on pandemic planning and measures such as the use of alcohol-based sanitizers, said Anne-Marie Robinson, assistant deputy minister of Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

"We do have communities where we have a large proportion of people who suffer from addictions," Robinson said.

The senators want their concerns to be addressed now, committee chairman and Conservative Senator Gerry St. Germain of British Columbia said, given predictions that a second, worse wave of flu cases could emerge this fall.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

She called for an independent task force to study flu outbreaks in First Nations and report back with recommendations for a seamless approach across the country before the fall flu season.


Yes.

 

[mixin]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

[snips]

At one point, two-thirds of all flu victims on respirators in the province were aboriginal.

Even as conditions worsened, chiefs in the region complained that the federal government had not delivered flu masks, respirators and hand sanitizer – items it is obliged to supply in accordance with the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan.

One Manitoba chief, David Harper of Garden Hill First Nation, became so frustrated waiting for federal flu-fighting supplies he flew to Winnipeg to buy them himself.

The federal government eventually delivered 2,500 bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizer to his dry reserve, but only after Mr. Harper waited 2 1/2 weeks and travelled to Ottawa to plead with health officials.

“The alcohol issue is a legitimate issue,” he said, adding that any undistributed sanitizer is now under lock and key. “Why after all that time they still sent alcohol-based sanitizer is worth looking at.”

Valerie Gideon, a spokeswoman with the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, could not confirm Tuesday that the sanitizer debate was to blame for delayed shipments to native communities.

But chiefs from small towns where the flu is slowly abating seem convinced of it.

“People here needed [hand sanitizer] to keep themselves safe and save their lives,” said David McDougall, chief of St. Theresa Point First Nation, a fly-in community that sent more than a dozen flu patients to Winnipeg with severe respiratory problems. “The whole community was put at risk because someone was worried that a handful of people might abuse the stuff.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...zer-from-flu-ravaged-reserves/article1194440/

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

?The whole community was put at risk because someone was worried that a handful of people might abuse the stuff.?

Outrageous.

 

[mixin]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

All the hand sanitizer I've seen is made with ethyl (denatured) alcohol, which is supposed to make it undrinkable. My favorite is a lavender colored, scented gel and what little I've had the misfortune to taste has been horrible.

I can't imagine very many people being desperate enough to drink it.

 

[Dianna]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

All the hand sanitizer I've seen is made with ethyl (denatured) alcohol, which is supposed to make it undrinkable. My favorite is a lavender colored, scented gel and what little I've had the misfortune to taste has been horrible.

I can't imagine very many people being desperate enough to drink it.

Hello,

I have cared for and witnessed those who do and will drink unsafe fluids that have alcohol listed/scent.

Hand wipes could serve a purpose here to minmize spread.
The alcohol would not matter much however those that wish to not smell the alcohol scent (those who need to be free of alcohol for recovery, alcohol based products is considered a trigger)



The alcohol antomicrobial wipe could serve to slough off skin cells and minimize transmission. Not a pefect solution.. Acceptable in this situation in my opnion.

Best solution would be to use water and pump soap and of course a separate soap and water for caregivers of those ill.

I would also recommend a separate alcohol antomicrobial wipe for caregivers of the ill.

 

[mixin]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

You make good points, Dianna. I realize there are some people who are addicted so bad, they will drink anything with alcohol; but I thought the number would probably be small in this case. I didn't even think about the recovering alcoholics.

I'm surprised they didn't anticipate this problem and have an alternate plan; especially if alcoholism is prevalent.

 

[Quiplash]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

This is turning into a total political sh*tstorm. The federal government spends several precious days debating whether or not to send alcohol-based hand sanitizer to the northern Manitoba reserves, in fears that it would be abused (i.e. ingested for the alcohol content). The native governments are hopping mad and I can't say that I blame them. Expect more finger-pointing in the short term, and maybe a head or two to roll.

I swear, you couldn't make this stuff up if you tried. THis is a perfect example of how you can't anticipate everything that could go wrong during a pandemic; this issue never surfaced while the federal and provincial governments were planning for a pandemic.

Also, I'm not sur eif any of you noticed, but Manitoba's total count of confirmed H1N1 cases, 458, is NOT the same as the stats given out by the federal government, 517.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

I am copying some posts and threads into this forum to emphasize the issues.

 

[colormyquilt]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

This is a rather interesting response to a group of individuals clearly needing a wealth of assistance from another group of individuals on how best to provide assistance.

Alcoholics and drug addicts will use whatever is available when they are in their active addiction. The limit is personal preference. Addiction is all about chasing the drug.

Those in recovery struggle every day. Daily, they must use their resources to remain abstinent. For some, urges present daily. For others, less so. And recovery is about the changing of people, places and things so as to provide opportunites to build a positive/ supportive foundation in order to live a life without alcohol/ drugs. Triggers are everywhere and can be anything.

A trigger can present as a good reason to use. An alcoholic, however, does not need a good reason to use. And if an alcoholic wants to use, the alcoholic will find alcohol. A drug addict does not need a good reason to use.
If a drug addict wants to use, the addict will find drugs.

Alcoholism and drug addiction is a disability. It is not a characteristic or trait or quality that belongs to any particular group of people- be it race, age, sex, economic level, educational level, religious affiliation. It can happen anywhere. It does happen everywhere.



"Silence is the voice of complicity"

 

[Dianna]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

You make good points, Dianna. I realize there are some people who are addicted so bad, they will drink anything with alcohol; but I thought the number would probably be small in this case. I didn't even think about the recovering alcoholics.


I'm surprised they didn't anticipate this problem and have an alternate plan; especially if alcoholism is prevalent.

Your right the number would be small; it must be frustrating for the community maybe even laughable at the ignorance of the so-called Powers withholding the product.

I don?t buy into alcoholism as a disease in the traditional alcohol treatment idea.

I would support a community and a people on what they seem fit for the community and person and persons of that community and family.

Regarding recovery yes it can help addicts to keep from alcohol in many items today and health care could be sensitive in not using or wearing products if asked or required for the health of the community.

Handwipes could be useful..

Read this title: "Alcohol-based sanitizers for flu-hit First Nations delayed over substance abuse fears"

Insulting, offensive..




My comments were to inform on common ideas placed on alocholics in general not specific to aborgianls/natives.

If as I suspect the Wellbriety liason was left out or misunderstood perhaps not even listened to, so many want to throw a panacea at communites of natives in regards to alcohol and other issues suronding these peoples.

To withhold hand sanitizer is ridiculous, the community can care for itself in this regard. I do think outside nurse and health care need to be educated on the issue for sensitivity.

I am sure the community has a plan. The reality is addiction happens and this community is not blind to the issue.

To ignore their heritage, their communities and their struggles. Is not healing.

The culture and history makes a difference and to assume otherwise is ridiculous as Aborginals and Natives have explained for a long time.

Perhaps this is a lesson for all people to look at self oppression and otherwise.

Note:
my comments are just that and not facts.. i do not know what recovery/wellbriety system these people see fit to use.

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

A conundrum but, the sanitizer needs to be distributed.

• We already know that many of these people have no easy way to keep hands washed.
• We know they have a very high percentage of infections.
• We know they have a disproportionally high number of people requiring vents.
• We have the highest number of deaths in this population due to H1N1 infection.
• We know the youth have been hardest hit with infections.

So, we are sacrificing one segment of the population to limit the smell of alcohol to another segment who might fall off the wagon.... This does smack of paternalism. While I am perfectly aware of the significant problems associated with alcoholism in this population, it is less of a problem than losing the youth to death.

 

[hornblower]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

I don't think the communities are blind. The substance abuse situation on the reserves is very grave.

This is from last summer:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/8-7-10/73272.html

Garry Sinclair is the drug prevention coordinator at Manitoba's Peguis First Nation, a community of 7,200 currently battling a drug epidemic.

"It's almost to a state of crisis," Sinclair said.

It's not just alcohol but crack, oxycontin & crystal meth - along with the associated crime, gang activity & prostitution.

Some surveys from the late 90's indicated that 83% of native leaders indicated alcohol abuse was either a frequent or constant problem on their reserves; 71% reported illegal drugs to be a frequent or constant problem; 56% reported sniffing was an occasional, frequent or constant problem.
source: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/substan/ads/nnadap-pnlaada-eng.php

And from a 1997 study on fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)/fetal alcohol effects (FAE) on Manitoba reserves:

?The world frequency of
fetal alcohol syndrome in live births is 1 to 3 cases in 1000, according to a 1990 study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in the US,? Moffatt said. ?We?re talking roughly 100 cases of FAS/FAE [per 1000 births] on the reserve, and that qualifies as an epidemic in my book.?

http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/reprint/157/1/59

My sense from colleagues in maternal child health who work with native populations is that things are the same or worse.

This is not to excuse the stumble regarding the shipment of the hand sanitizers but merely to put in perspective the extent of the problem on Canadian reserves. I get the sense that some US colleagues have a different view of reserves because of some very successful gambling etc ventures which US native bands have been able to embark on. The situation on Canadian reserves remains quite different.

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

The bottom line here is which is worse. A rising death count due to flu infections against the possibility of alcohol abuse. As there is an on going problem with substance abuse then these people already have access to those substances. The only segment of the population who are possibly at risk are those who are recovering alcoholics. I know of the inherent problems with alcohol abuse but, those pale in comparison to the severe illnesses and significant number of deaths. It should be up to the tribal elders as to which course of action needs to be taken. They live the life, they know the pitfalls and, they know the consequences of not supplying a means to reduce the number of infections.

 

[hornblower]

Re: alcohol based sanitiziers/substance abuse fears

I agree Shannon.
Actually the whole thing is insane when I think it through. In my neck of the woods there are a few 'dry' reserves but if it was an issue then surely the elders should be consulted and they could make the final decision about whether to bring in the sanitizer or not with input from the physicians and epidemiologists.

But most reserves are not dry anyway - there's plenty of substance to abuse already so I don't see why the great trepidation about shipping up the sanitizer. Not when it could prevent transmission and save some lives.