The National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) helps set up and operate treatment programs to reduce and prevent alcohol, drug and solvent use in First Nation communities. The program's goal is to help fund First Nations and Inuit-run initiatives.

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Most treatment programs use many different methods that blend culturally specific and mainstream approaches.

NNADAP treatment centres can be inpatient, outpatient or day and evening services. Programs can be specific to couples, families, youth, men, women and people with mental health issues.

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It has been determined that many Indigenous people identify their trauma and associated substance use as being directly related to Indian Residential Schools and/or the child welfare experience.  Understanding these issues is important to the success of the program. The NNADAP General Review 1998 Final Report put forward recommendations to better coordinate services and supports to meet the needs of First Nations communities.

 

Thanks to the NNADAP Renewal Leadership Team, the Framework is now in effect at the community, regional and national levels. The Framework has enabled the team to improve addiction services for First Nations with help from the:

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• Assembly of First Nations

• National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation

• Government of Canada

• National addictions programs

• The National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) and The National Youth Solvent Abuse Program (NYSAP) make up a network of programming that includes:

• First Nations addiction treatment centres

• NNADAP community-based prevention programs

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Key components of the NNADAP and NYSAP network include:

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• prevention

• early identification and intervention

• screening, assessment and referral

• treatment

• discharge planning and aftercare

• performance measurement, research and knowledge exchange

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The programs provide access to addictions support to the majority of First Nations and Inuit communities.