Native American Youth And Alcohol

Alcohol problems among Native Americans are severe and widespread. Statistics report that the rate of alcohol-related deaths is about eight times greater for Native Americans than for the U.S. population as a whole. This bibliography identifies the problems of alcoholism and alcohol abuse among Native American youth as a severe mental and physical health issue that deserves closer study, and it brings together in one volume most of what is known about the subject to date. The increasing amount of research that has appeared in recent years has created the need for a comprehensive reference focusing not only on anthropological and sociological concerns, but on questions more specifically relevant to Native Americans, such as child abuse and neglect, foster homes, school problems, dropouts, peer relation effects, family modeling response, fetal alcohol syndrome, developmental factors, and, most importantly, social deprivation. The authors maintain that the emerging literature on Native American youth's alcoholism is multidisciplinary in nature, suggesting that the subject in general has taken on greater significance in the social framework of this country. Native American Youth and Alcohol makes a valuable contribution by emphasizing the current publications on Indian youth and alcohol in an accessible format that offers a broad spectrum of opinion and analysis. This timely work will be read by professionals in the human services field and by a variety of researchers, practitioners, and those who are currently engaged in health promotion and disease prevention activities.

A congressional hearing examined the effects of alcohol labeling and marketing on Native American health and culture. The focus of the hearing was on "Crazy Horse" malt liquor, a product named for the spiritual and political leader of the Native American Sioux. Following opening remarks by presiding committee chairwoman, Patricia Schroeder, the brewery in question, by letter, objected to not being allowed to participate in the hearing and denied the allegation of targeting Native Americans in marketing its product. A fact sheet provides information on the following issues: (1) alcohol as a major cause of disease, injury, and death among Native Americans; (2) the high rate of alcohol use among Native American youth and problems associated with alcohol use such as driving under the influence, increased sexual behavior, and a high suicide rate among Native Americans; (3) the importance of cultural traditions in alcohol prevention and treatment programs for Native American youth; (4) the practice of alcohol advertisements targeting high-risk groups; and (5) public and court response to the practice of targeted advertising. Also included are testimonies and prepared statements addressing the topics covered in the fact sheet made by members of the U.S. Congress and state legislatures, federal health officials, tribal leaders, and health professionals. (LP)

The purpose of the study is to design an alcohol prevention program for Native American youth.

Alcohol use by young people is extremely dangerous - both to themselves and society at large. Underage alcohol use is associated with traffic fatalities, violence, unsafe sex, suicide, educational failure, and other problem behaviors that diminish the prospects of future success, as well as health risks â€" and the earlier teens start drinking, the greater the danger. Despite these serious concerns, the media continues to make drinking look attractive to youth, and it remains possible and even easy for teenagers to get access to alcohol. Why is this dangerous behavior so pervasive? What can be done to prevent it? What will work and who is responsible for making sure it happens? Reducing Underage Drinking addresses these questions and proposes a new way to combat underage alcohol use. It explores the ways in which may different individuals and groups contribute to the problem and how they can be enlisted to prevent it. Reducing Underage Drinking will serve as both a game plan and a call to arms for anyone with an investment in youth health and safety.

Substance abuse is a major health and social problem plaguing Native Americans both historically and today. After presenting the social and psychological factors that have contributed to Native American addictions and the patterns of behavior and circumstances associated with this complex and widespread problem, French discusses the treatment, intervention, and prevention issues facing therapists. He also explores the development and consequences of a new form of addiction, compulsive gambling, focusing on its relationship to substance abuse. A major contribution of this volume is its review and critique of regulatory acts documenting federal policy.