Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

Wrigley (Aug 03/01) - Residents and former residents of Wrigley, and friends and family from around the Deh Cho, converged on the community last weekend.

They gathered to celebrate, to dance and feast, to chat and listen to music. It was the 9th Annual Pehdzeh Ki First Nation Gathering.

A temporary prohibition order was in effect to emphasize the alcohol and drug-free nature of the event.

Former chief Tim Lennie, taking a moment away from the sweltering rec centre to cool off outside, emphasized that the weekend was about coming together for positive reasons. He added that the gathering allowed members to "come back to the community, if even for a few days."

Workshops were held that highlighted a healthy future and life rooted in spiritual tradition and sobriety, as exemplified by the theme: Transition -- Time to Change.

Roy Fabian presented on traditional healing and cultural beliefs, and Allyn Rohatyn presented on phases of alcohol and drug addiction, relapse and recovery.

When Rohatyn, the alcohol and drug program co-ordinator in Fort Providence, speaks, he speaks from the heart, because he's been there. He understands the steps that lead a person from social drinking to alcoholism. And he understands the devastating effects the disease has on people, their lives, and the lives of their families.

He combines personal experience with "good positive information" from drug and alcohol programming.

Relapse, he says, "is a negative experience, but it also offers an opportunity to learn.

"That's how we learn, learn what to do for ourselves in order to not let it happen again. And to be aware of what goes on within our systems."

A newly sober person may still have patterns.

"Relapse -- this takes place long before a person takes a drink. You have to be aware of what's going on in your mind."

Alcohol and drug addiction, in effect, takes place on all levels: mental, emotional, spiritual and physical.

Follow-up and after care, says Rohatyn, is integral to a successful recovery from addiction.

Also, the whole family, particularly a spouse, must relearn how to live with a newly sober person.

"Any recovery is a life-long process, compared to other diseases. You drink or don't drink."