NCJ Number
149964
Journal
Youth Studies Australia Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (Autumn 1994) Pages: 49- 52
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper examines marijuana (yandi) use by adolescents in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and by white Australian adolescents and attempts to report an insider's view of how marijuana use is part of being an adolescent in both subcultural groups.
Abstract
Over the past few years, the reported use of marijuana by young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has become an increasing concern for communities and has been identified as a major social and health priority in the National Aboriginal Health Strategy. Research findings are reported from two studies, one focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth culture and the other focused on marijuana use by white Australian high school students. Both studies investigated the social context of marijuana use, and both found that peer involvement was a key factor in drug involvement. All youths were part of a network that provided access to marijuana and a social setting for consuming the drug. Most study respondents also indicated that older siblings or relatives influenced their decision to smoke marijuana. The youths did not view marijuana use as deviant or as a rejection of social norms; rather, drug involvement was part of their adolescent culture. Marijuana use by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth appeared to represent a collective response to a situation of political and economic powerlessness. 12 references