The Troubling Reality of Substance Use
In Trajectories of Substance Use among Young American Indian Adolescents: Patterns and Predictors, Nancy Whitesell notes that “substance use often begins earlier among American Indians compared to the rest of the United States, a troubling reality that puts Native youth at risk for escalating and problematic use.” Beyond early and problematic use, a recent survey comparing drug use among Native American youth living on or near reservations to a national sample of American youth found that Native youth report substantially higher use of alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, and other illicit drugs. (NIDA, 2018)
The National Institutes of Drug Abuse research into the origins of substance use problems increasingly points to early adolescence as a critical period, as close to one third of adolescents begin drinking by age 13. ( Whitesell , et al., 2014) As addiction and long-term substance abuse are directly connected to chronic illness, shortened lifespans, and suicide the need for culturally appropriate and community-based intervention is critical.
Community-Based Intervention
Tribal Youth Healing to Wellness Court (YHWC) is a responsive strategy to support tribal youth on a path toward wellness and recovery by addressing and responding to their substance misuse. Rather than trying to adapt to the constraints of non-Native systems, there is a growing recognition that interventions guided by Native strengths, cultural values, and beliefs reduce harm associated with high-risk behaviors such as substance use . Communities can refer youth to appropriate treatment, while promoting safety, accountability, and restorative approaches that promote individual healing and increase resilience. This collaborative and culturally grounded approach also includes opportunities for youth to build their skills and set individualized goals. Teams provide mentorship and support through ongoing case management that promotes positive and healthy outcomes for youth, families, and their communities.
