Working With Native American Adolescents and Substance Abuse

One of the methods used in working with Native American adolescents and substance abuse is the bicultural competence theory, which teaches skills that blend the roles and values of Native American cultures with the culture around them. Another method of approach to try is to work through the Native American community itself. The key advantage of this approach is it belongs to the people it is trying to help. There are several steps to setting up this approach that, if followed, appear to give some positive results among the youth.

Instructions

Communicating, Coping and Discriminating

• 1

  Teach Native American youth to use communication skills to increase their independence. While 50 percent of American youths admit to trying drugs, tobacco and/or alcohol, in the Native American community, the rate is 80 percent. Native Americans are confronted by cultural conflicts, such as: their Native American identity; post-traumatic stress from a history as an oppressed people; and, low self-esteem, partly caused by their lack of confidence and a perception of low socioeconomic status. Teaching Native American youths to turn down drugs, tobacco or alcohol without offending another person can aid them in resisting peer pressure.

• 2

  Identify and practice coping skills with youth. Using strategies of self-instruction and relaxation helps the youth avoid pressure from peers and outside influences and that self-determination helps them increase their self-esteem and confidence. Other things that build self-esteem and confidence are coaching, feedback and praise from the leaders of their community.

• 3

  Educate the youth on inappropriate and appropriate assertive behavior in their own culture and other cultures. Noting events and situations likely to include drugs, alcohol and tobacco can help youths make decisions that keep themselves away from such choices. Encourage youths to build social networks that offer support and strength from others to encourage healthy behaviors and avoid temptation.

Community Based Method

• 4

  Hold a community meeting and discuss how substance abuse and alcohol are affecting children. Discuss issues such as school failure, unemployment, arrests for crimes, antisocial behavior, unemployment, criminal arrest and increased morbidity and mortality.

• 5

  Get community members to talk about substance abuse and how it affects multiple generations physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Include subjects such as depression, cultural shame, self-hate, and stress-related acting out.

• 6

  Talk about what is being done and what needs to be done. Form a committee, work on a plan, and see who can help, and where they can help. Try to coordinate existing activities and add new ones.

• 7

  Recruit community members to volunteer to work with existing personnel. Provide them with training if needed.

• 8

  Identify outside resources, but keep control and responsibility within the community. Coordinate the resources with local activities. Keep track of progress and measure even small steps.