ST. JOHN'S SET TO EVACUATE 15 ADDICTED INNU TEENS

Native Community Divided Over Outside Intervention

SHESHATSHIU, Nfld. -- As many as 15 Innu teenagers have such deadly
addictions to gasoline sniffing that Newfoundland government social
workers have determined they need to be taken away from their native
community as soon as possible.

More than a dozen social workers have descended upon this remote
Labrador community in response to a cry for help in dealing with the
growing numbers of children some as young as 6 addicted to sniffing
gas fumes.

Other children are being assessed this weekend. A formal assessment is
required by law before the children can be removed.

The problem is obvious in the destitute village of 1,200, where
bleary-eyed teens bury their heads in plastic bags filled with
gasoline in plain view of adults who hardly seem to notice.

But the solution outside intervention has left the community sharply
divided.

"It's unfair to send the children away, to export the problem to
someone else. I think we can deal with it," said John Ashini, whose
15-year-old son took his life last year while battling solvent addictions.

"The parents of children who've killed themselves have never been
consulted," Ashini said, adding that if Chief Paul Rich can't help his
own people, he should step down.

Rich has asked St. John's to step in and remove as many as 39 addicted
children from their homes in order to get them treatment.

Newfoundland's minister responsible for Labrador, Ernie McLean, said
yesterday he feels it is appropriate the government step in.

"I think they've reached the point where they feel they can't handle
it anymore," he said over the phone from St. John's.

"If the assessment determines the level of care and treatment they
need is not available (in the community), obviously we have to ensure
they get to a treatment centre."

It's unfair to send the children away. I think we can deal with it.'

A public health nurse survey has found more than half of all teenagers
in Sheshatshiu drink, sniff gas, take illegal drugs and have
contemplated suicide.

But Rita Rich also says the community needs to solve its own problems.

"I think it's time to stop feeling sorry for ourselves because of our
past, and start looking to each other by opening up more and paying
attention to our children."

While she spoke, a giggling teen was sucking on gas fumes just feet
away. The teen, who admitted to ditching school in favour of getting
high every day, said only that sniffing is fun and it feels good.

Ashini said as many as 80 per cent of teens drop out of school.

Innu Nation president Peter Penashue said without the legal authority
to take the children into protective custody, outside help is the only
option.

"If the parents are going to be upset with us, well so be it the kids
have to come first," he said.

The first 15 children will likely be pulled from the community next week.

Chief Rich said the most tragic cases have been singled out for quick
intervention because "they are constantly putting their lives in danger."

Evacuation can't be done as fast as it should because not enough
placements in detoxification programs have been found.

Meanwhile, the children will be sheltered in a building in nearby
Goose Bay "just to keep them away from gas," he said.

Some of their parents have approved, while others are angry, he said.

But some of these parents have addiction problems themselves, and they
will receive counselling so the children can return to a healthy
environment after treatment.

Security guards have been hired to monitor the village to be sure the
gas sniffing kids are not endangering themselves.

Roxanne Rich said the intervention is long overdue.

"It's about time somebody heard us. This has been going on for so many
years now," said the community services worker who helps find foster
families for children with addictions.

"I try so hard working with these kids who are sniffing gas. The
caregivers won't take it.

"They walk out. They can't cope," she said. "I'm not trying to put
down my people. We need help."