NCJ Number
178153
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 34 Issue: 4/5 Dated: March/April 1999 Pages: 579-593
Date Published
1999
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article describes the levels of self-reported drug use and related behaviors of Native Alaskans in two very rural Alaskan villages.
Abstract
The Alaska Native Preschool Project was centered in the Head Start Programs of two typical Alaska native villages near the Bering Sea. Data were collected (1990-1995) from parents of preschoolers (N = 342) with surveys; a panel of villagers (N = 25 to 30) using qualitative interviews; villagers using participant observation; and a limited review of public records. A high number of problems were associated with drug and alcohol use in the villages. The level of smokeless tobacco use was almost 10 times greater and marijuana use more than three times higher than reported in the 1995 National Household Survey. Specific problems reported by about one-third of the parents and related to their own drinking were memory loss, passing out, money problems and being arrested. In addition, key informants indicated that the use of substances was observable for lower aged children. Table