Studies of Substance Abuse with Interventions for the Youth of Native American Indian Communities #3

[MindMover]

Statement of the Problem

This project is intended as a study of the published literature on substance abuse and its violent effects and substance abuse prevention among American Indian youth, focusing on the most widely used drugs: tobacco, inhalants, alcohol, and marijuana. Past research focusing on Native Americans has had relatively little representation in conventional psychological journals, the field as a whole is largely unaware of many prominent issues.

For this reason, this study focuses exclusively on this underserved/un-served and often at-risk population. Information on other ethnic groups is presented when it is useful for making relevant comparisons or providing context in terms of the general alcohol and substance use literature. It may appear that some of the research focusing on Native American Indian populations presented in this review is outdated or lacks comprehensiveness. However, it is important to bear in mind that this reflects the current state of the published research literature, emphasizing the need for more attention and resources to be directed toward the Native American Indian community.

According to U.S. population estimates, there are 2.5 million people who report their sole race to be American Indian/Alaskan Native, and 4.5 million people who report being American Indian/Alaskan Native in combination with one or more other races (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001b). Native American Indians are an incredibly diverse group, currently representing 562 federally recognized tribal nations and Alaskan Native villages and corporations that range in membership from less than 100 to more than 350,000 (Bureau of Indian Affairs, 2009b). In California we have 108 federally recognized tribes and 50 unrecognized. There are additional tribes recognized only by individual states, and numerous tribes, bands, and American Indian villages that are not formally recognized by the federal government for political reasons. Federally recognized Native American tribes are located in 35 states within 10 distinct cultural areas with 1/3 of total population in 3 states, California, Arizona, and Oklahoma. More than 200 tribal languages are currently spoken (Fleming, 1992).