Substance Abuse Among Minority Youth: Native Americans

• NCJ Number: 159402
• Author(s): G A Austin
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 27 pages
• Contract Number(s): S188A80003
• Sponsoring Agency: Gang Intelligence Strategy Committee
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Prevention Research Update No. 2 (Winter 1988)

Annotation

The largest single population at risk of substance abuse consists of ethnic and racial minority youth, including Native Americans, generally because they experience higher rates of factors known to be associated with substance abuse (population growth, poverty, school failure, family problems, and involvement in criminal justice and social welfare systems).

Abstract

Even so, drug research specifically targeting minority youth is lacking and drug prevention programs developed for mainstream youth have had little impact on minority youth. Lack of community resources also contributes to the risk of minority youth for substance abuse. Drug prevention programs must be culturally appropriate and relevant, and serious efforts must be made to alleviate sociocultural problems that place minority youth at high risk. Drug and alcohol abuse is particularly significant among Native American youth. The drug problem among Native American youth is discussed, especially for alcohol and marijuana. The etiology of substance abuse among Native American youth is addressed, and the need for effective drug prevention programs that focus on Native American youth at risk is demonstrated. Abstracts of publications dealing with substance abuse among Native American youth are included. 112 references