From my perspective, this is a human problem. It isn't a first nations problem. It isn't a women's problem. It's not a male problem. It's a human problem. Quite often, the people who have something to say don't get asked to speak. Quite often, the people who are speaking don't have time for a response. As far as the methods of helping people go, each case is individual, but it seems like the fixes are for the masses.
I was at the centre for trauma in the Atlantic provinces. I spent seven weeks there because I didn't have drug and alcohol issues. Those that did stayed nine weeks. Nine weeks might help take a person in a better direction, but it's not enough for a follow-up. We did weekly online...with different groups, but that's online. To me, I'm not there. It's like a phone line when you're desperate. When I'm desperate, I'm not going to make a phone call. Most people don't. Some do, and maybe it does help some. However, I believe that for the majority a phone call to a stranger is the last thing they want to do.
I expressed earlier about drugs for those that become dependent on marijuana. Maybe for those individuals it is helping save their lives, but eventually.... I don't think it's best for the long term. It's not a fix. The old adage is that you can't put lipstick on a pig.