NCJ Number
205931
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 39 Issue: 5 Dated: 2004 Pages: 721-746
Editor(s)
Stanley Einstein Ph.D.
Date Published
2004
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This study examined alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use and violent behavior among Native Hawaiians and identified predictors of ATOD use patterns and violent behavior.
Abstract
For the past decade, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use and violent behavior have been a major concern among the Native Hawaiian community. By including data from a sample of 88 Native Hawaiians living in a rural community on an outer island, this study attempts to contribute to the knowledge base regarding the epidemiology, context, and community perceptions of ATOD use and violent behavior within the Native Hawaiian community. The goal of this study was to examine ethnic pride, gender, education, health, and happiness as potential indicators of resilience. There were two focus groups: (1) an ethnographic study of Native Hawaiian alcohol and violence and (2) a Native Hawaiian behavior study. Findings indicate: (1) drug use is a far more common phenomenon than expected; (2) over half of the participants reported having smoked at least one cigarette during their lives; (3) individuals who drank more often were more likely to experience alcohol-related problems; (4) Native Hawaiian individuals appeared to initiate alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use at approximately the same time; (5) violent behavior among men most commonly involved strangers rather than acquaintances; and (6) individuals who reported being very proud to be Hawaiian endorsed being significantly happier than individuals with less ethnic pride. Overall, participants in the focus group discussions noted that alcohol, drug use, and violent behavior were among the most pressing problems facing the rural Hawaiian community. In addition, it was revealed that substance abuse and violent behavior interacted with each other in a complex manner. Appendix and references