Addictions

Addictions services are categorized under three specific activity sectors: 

Prevention services 
Referral and treatment services 
After-care services

These services are offered in partnership with the two Nunavik health centres and regional organizations. Each health centre has a pivot addictions intervener, tasked with supporting the interveners in each community and under each activity sector. 

Prevention 

The Inuit association Nunalituguait Ikajuqatigiitut (NI) organizes various information activities in the region’s communities and schools. 
The CLSC employees and the community liaison wellness workers (CLWWs) periodically participate in or organize prevention and awareness activities in the communities, notably in relation to foetal alcohol syndrome or with regard to the schedules for prevention activities and campaigns against addictions. 

Referral and treatment 

Youths and adults struggling with an addiction can consult the CLSC interveners (assistance, advice, referral to treatment services). 

A training program, translated and adapted to Nunavik’s specific needs, has been designed. Training sessions are offered by two instructors at the communities’ request, with the objectives of enabling the interveners and community members to identify individuals with addiction problems and offer them support in their search for help or in referral for treatment. 

In Nunavik, only one community organization—the Isuarsivik Treatment Centre—offers treatment services for addictions. Its 42-day program has been adapted to the Inuit culture and is offered in alternating sessions to women and men. 
 
If a treatment service is requested, the Inuit of Nunavik are referred to the regional treatment centre (Isuarsivik), sometimes another treatment centre in Québec (offering services in English) or a centre outside the province funded by Health Canada’s NNADAP. 
 

After-Care 

The interveners of the CLSC points of service are the primary sources of support for clients returning to their community. 

Certain initiatives led by the communities or the churches have led to the emergence of support groups. For example, an AA group is active in Kuujjuaq and two support groups (in Inukjuak and Puvirnituq) are supported by the pivot intervener for addictions at the Inuulitsivik Health Centre.