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Chapter 13 – Trends in Drug Abuse Among Native Americans. States with largest native American population – two (2) largest Oklahoma California National statistics mask the diversity that exist among Native Americans and their AOD use/Abuse Trends
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States with largest native American population – two (2) largest • Oklahoma • California • National statistics mask the diversity that exist among Native Americans and their AOD use/Abuse Trends • Native Americans face the continued challenge of high poverty rates nationwide (more household poorer and female-headed) • Native communities are fast-growing, young population • Natives make up less than 1 percent of the U.S. population
Trend toward incorporating cultural, traditional and spiritual activities into alcohol and drug prevention and treatment and approaches • For Natives – researchers are just beginning to examine drinking and drug use among Indians of mixed tribes or ethnicities Adult Drinking and Drug Use Patterns • Studies in the 90’s found higher rates of both heavy drinking and drug use among Indians, when compared to the general U.S. population • Natives self-report higher rates of chronic drinking than all U.S. races combined
Native American men and women are more likely to cigarette smoking than men and women of all races • Both Native men and women are more likely to be binge drinkers (compared to other U.S. general population) Native American Women’s Drug Use Patterns • Women’s pattern of binge drinking • Study also found widespread drug use and self-reported drug problems among Native American women • Marijuana – used most often • Crystal Meth – second most abused drug • Cocaine/Crack – third most used • FAS-FAE – Sibling groups
Recent Findings on Native American Youth Drug Use Patterns • Native American youth have higher rates of drug use than other ethnic groups • Higher rates of co-occurring mental health problems among Native teens • Use of tobacco (smoked and smokeless) is very high among Native adolescents • Girls use of alcohol is beginning to approach that of teen boys (1993) • Native teen girls use of alcohol excess girls of other ethnic groups
Substance-Related Harm Among Native Americans The four (4) leading causes of death for Natives (age 25 – 44) are: • Accidents (many related to alcohol) • Liver Disease and Cirrhosis • Homicide • Suicide (many related to alcohol) • Data also suggest potentially high rates of violence in Native communities, which are frequently alcohol related • Homicide deaths exceed other groups and in both genders • Greater number of Natives drive drunk • Sexual abuse among Natives appear to be underreported
Possible Causes of AOD Problems Among Native Americans • Racism • Marginalization • Poverty • High Stress Levels • Cultural Discontinuity • Being able to think in the both the Native and mainstream worlds is very important to preventing substance abuse • Cultural specific treatment is vitally important for natives