Studies of Substance Abuse with Interventions for the Youth of Native American Indian Communities #2

Background of the Problem

Chemical dependency, substance misuse/abuse and particularly alcohol abuse, is consistently named as one of the most critical health concerns currently facing Native American Indian communities (Beauvais, 1996; French, 2000; Indian Health Service, 2007; King, Beals, Manson, & Trimble, 1992; Mail, Heurtin-Roberts, Martin, & Howard, 2002; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008; Young, 1988). It has had extremely destructive consequences for both the individual and cultural levels, and it is widely believed that few Indian families remain unaffected, either directly or indirectly. The historical and political context surrounding alcohol use among Native American Indians and Alaskan Natives is far too complex to address in the scope of this study (see E. H. Hawkins & Blume, 2002, H. Zinn, 1980 for a more in-depth discussion of this topic).

Although many communities have experienced social and cultural devastation that can be directly attributed to alcohol use, it is essential to note the large variance in actual rates of alcohol use and related problems experienced in Native America. Alcohol has and continues to be damaging to Native communities, yet there is a sizeable population of Native Americans who do not drink or who are non-problem drinkers (Mail & Johnson, 1993; Myers, Kagawa-Singer, Kumanyika, Lex, & Markides, 1995, Grant, Dawson, & Stinson, 2002).

Although some degree of alcohol use is common among American Indian youth, often it is not the first substance used or the primary drug of choice (Novins, Beals, & Mitchell, 2001).