Alcohol y drogas entre los pueblos indígenas: Mecanismo de defensa

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE AMONG
ABORIGINAL PEOPLES:
A COPING MECHANISM
By: Mirna Concha
January 2006
Traditionally, most Aboriginal peoples have perceived a responsibility to “take care of”
or to maintain the land that may have been inhabited for thousands of years by their
ancestors. That land, together with the plants and animals have historically been the
basis for survival and the geography determined their daily behaviours, making a direct
link between customs and cultures.
Their Circle of Life and Sacred Hoop (Native World) was impacted by colonization
(domination, theft of land, imposition of “unnatural” social order, residential schools,
destruction of native family systems, slavery, prejudice, stereotyping, racism, etc.).
Aboriginal peoples became trapped between two cultures. This “multi-generational
trauma” has caused various illnesses of the soul, leading to depression, hopelessness
and destructive behaviours such as alcoholism, drug addictions and sexual promiscuity
or violence among the native peoples of the world.
Their style of life was crashed. Their communities were dislocated, they lost their pride,
self-respect, identity, language, spirituality, culture and ability to parent. The root of this
damage and these losses are reflected in the statistics that show high levels of family
violence, suicide, alcohol and other substance abuse in Aboriginal communities.
Who are the Aboriginals?
The Aboriginal peoples in Canada embody approximately 50 culturally diverse groups,
the roots of which are found in distinct languages and land bases.
The Constitution Act defines “Aboriginal” as an inclusive term, referring to First
Nations, Inuit and Metis. Aboriginal people refer to themselves by their specific tribal
affiliation. First Nations people may also be referred to as Native or “Indian”, although
this last term is considered to be offensive to some of them.
The government classifies First Nations people according to whether or not they are
registered under the Federal Indian Act.
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“Status Indian” registered numbered 976,305 in 2001 Census. Nevertheless, this data is
likely to underestimate the number: some reserves were incompletely enumerated, other
were not included in census counts, Aboriginal peoples tend to move more often and
make up a significant proportion of homeless people and some may have chose the
category “Canadian” rather than specifying Aboriginal ancestry. The chronic
undercounting is even more likely because there are a lot of “Non-Status” Indians and
also because until 1985 women who married Non-Status men lost their status and
benefits. Thousands of aboriginal men also lost their status as a condition of their
military enrollment. Thus, the 2001 Census established that the number that
acknowledged to be Aboriginal is 3% of the Canadian population and out of them, 70%
live off reserve, 62% identify as Indians, 30% as Metis and 4% as Inuit.
Census statistics hold that the Aboriginal population of Canada is much younger than
the general Canadian population, with an average of 25.5 compared to 35.4 in the
general population. Children under 15 account for 38% of all Aboriginal people,
compared with 20% of general population. Half of all Aboriginal peoples in Canada are
under the age of 24 years. Out of these, 70.9% live off-reserves and 1 out of 5 live in
seven of Canada’s 25 metropolitan census areas (Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver,
Saskatoon, Toronto, Calgary and Regina). It has also been established that Aboriginal
children under the age of 15 are more likely than non-Aboriginal children to live in
single parent families (32% vs 16%). In urban areas, over half of Aboriginal children
under 15 live in single parent families.
The Metis: their ancestry can be traced to the intermarriage of European (mainly French
but also Scottish) men and First Nations women in the western provinces during the 17th
century.
Their traditional homeland was the western prairie, were most of them still live.
Nevertheless, there are significant populations in Ontario, British Columbia and the
Northwest Territories. It is known that 65% of Metis live in urban areas. They also have
a young population: 37.8% are 14 ages or under.
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The Inuit: also have a strong connection to the land and to the sea. The majority of them
live in and around 55 communities in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Canada, most
of which are remote and isolated. “Inuk” is a specific Inuit person and the term
“Eskimo” (eaters of raw meat) is also considered offensive to some of them. There are
now four Inuit regions in Canada: Nunavut, Inuvialuit (western Arctic), Nunavik
(northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (northern Labrador). Theirs is also a very young
population. The birth rate of Inuit women (3.4) is the highest of all Aboriginal
populations.
Alcoholism and drug use
The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse states that “there is currently little clear
information describing substance use problems among Canadian Aboriginal peoples”.
Thus, some research has established that most problems in aboriginal communities
result from a drinking spree/binge drinking pattern rather than from the effects of
sustained excessive consumption. Statistics from the Government of Northwest
Territories show that more Inuit are abstinent and those who drink do so less often than
non-Inuit. “It is the quantity in binge drinking that results in problems. It is both a
learned pattern and a negative coping tool. Most alcohol related personal, social and
family problems are the result of this periodic heavy consumption rather than
addiction/dependence”, report states.
Substance abuse. In 2003, the Canadian Women’s Health Network was alarmed by the
increased statistics over the past two decades. Tests report 50% HIV positive compared
with only 16% of non-aboriginal women.
Within the community, women represent nearly 25% of reported AIDS, while nonaboriginal women account for only 8.2%. The report also shows a large and increasing
HIV infections in young aboriginal women between 15 and 29 years of age. Between
1985 and 1995 it was roughly 13%. Statistics show that it increased approximately 37%
in 1998 and 45% in 2001.
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Injection drug use (IDU) is the main mode of HIV transmission, followed by
heterosexual contact, sometimes with partner that use injection drugs. In 2002, 64.9% of
reported AIDS cases among aboriginal women stated their exposure category as
injection drug use, and 30.9% as heterosexual contact.
Solvent use: a serious concern
The use of solvents for intoxication among children in some communities is a serious
concern. In some remote aboriginal communities, gasoline, sniffing, primarily by young
people, is said to have contributed to a systematic breakdown of community and family
relationships. The 1993 First Nations and Inuit Community Youth Solvent Abuse
Survey indicated that users were most often males between 12 and 19 years of age.
There are indications that tobacco abuse and injecting drug use are also particular
concerns among aboriginal populations, with 1 in 5 aboriginal street youth in seven
major Canadian cities reporting they had injected drugs.
Suicide, a problem among the youth
According to the 1995 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples’ report, the suicide
rate is 3 times that of the general Canadian population. After 172 days of public hearing
in 92 communities across Canada, commissioners heard that it was one of the most
urgent problems. It is estimated that up to 25% of accidental deaths among aboriginal
peoples are really unreported suicides.
Nevertheless, it is also known that not all communities are affected by suicide. There
can be marked differences between provinces, regions and even between communities
in the same geographical region.
A 1998 study among Status Aboriginals shows that some communities had suicide rates
800 times greater than the national average and that in some others, suicide was
virtually unknown.
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In 1998 Health Canada, First Nations Inuit Health Branch, said that suicide and selfinjury were the leading causes of death for youth and adults up to age 44. In that year,
suicide and self-injury accounted for 38% of deaths among youth and 23% of deaths in
young adults.
Adolescent and young adults were the highest risk. Among aboriginal youth aged 10 to
19 years, the suicide rate was 5 or 6 times higher than among their non-Aboriginal
peers. It is in the years between 20 and 29 that both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
people showed the highest rate of suicide.
In Canada’s newest territory, Nunavut, the suicide rate for the years 1993-1997 was 88
per 100,000 compared to 15 for the western arctic and 13 for Canada.
The Suicide Prevention Efforts in Aboriginal communities research believes that there
are some factors that may explain difference in suicide rate between communities, and
states that communities having 3 of the following factors present, experience
substantially fewer suicides.
1.- Land Claims (second on line)
2.- Self government (show lowest rate of youth suicide)
3.- Education services (third in predicting low suicide rate)
4.- Police and fire services
5.- Health services
6.- Cultural facilities
The Royal Commission also identified as major risk factors: psychobiological
(unresolved grief), situational, socio-economic, or culture stress (loss of confidence in
the ways of understanding life), increased used of alcohol and drugs to relieve
unhappiness. Studies show that in as many as 90% of suicides, victims had alcohol in
their blood. Brain damage or paranoid psychosis as a result of the chronic use of
solvents is reported as a major factor in suicides by youth.
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Wellness from within the community
Government Health Programs are provided to “status Aboriginals” and “registered”
Indians through three governmental structures: the provincial government, the former
Medical Service Branch of Health Canada and by the Department of Indian and
Northern Affairs. Benefits include pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment
dental service, vision care, medical transportation and individual mental health
counselling.
Nevertheless, First Nation and Inuit Health statistics state that approximately 20% of
First Nations communities currently don’t have year round access to health services. It
is estimated that nationally 30 to 50% of Aboriginal communities could be described as
remote. In most of them there is only a nursing station, physicians and other specialist
fly into the community periodically and many services, including rehabilitation, are not
commonly available.
Communities feel their leaders are more interested in economical development and self
government than social problems; events related to suicide create shame and secrecy.
Thus, it is well known that best treatments can come from within the communities
considering cultural and spiritual revitalization, community bonds, holism, community
involvement, control and partnership.
The Royal Commission recommended a Canada wide three part response to suicide that
is community based.
It considers that establishment of direct suicide crisis services, the provision of
resources for broad preventive action through the community development and the
building of support for self-determination, self-sufficiency, healing and reconciliation.
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In urban areas most programmes are delivered by different agencies. They include the
National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programme (NNADAP), the Brighter Futures
programme, solvent abuse programmes and the First Nations Health Information
System, the HIV/AIDS programme.
In Alberta, for example, the Aboriginal Youth Network is working through Effective
Principles to Prevent Substances Abuse Among Youth and suggests:
1.- Build a strong framework (address protective factors, risk factors stand resiliency,
seek comprehensiveness, ensure sufficient program duration and intensity).
2.- Strive for accountability (base program on accurate information, set clear an
realistic goals, monitor and evaluate the program, address program sustainability).
3.- Understand and involve young people (account for the implications of adolescent,
psychosocial development, recognize youth perceptions of substance use, involve
youth in program design and implementation).
4.- Create an Effective Process (develop credible messages, combine knowledge and
skill development, use interactive group process).
Also, the National Native Youth Solvent Addiction Program (NNYSA) Resiliency and
Holistic Inhalant Abuse Treatment is working since March 2005 in partnership with the
First Nations people and Health Canada. It is a solvent addiction residential treatment
program with sites across the country. It emphasizes the inner spirit through traditional
Native teachings and holistic healing.
Other Health Organizations
Health Promotion and Prevention – Information Centre on Aboriginal Health (ICAH)
- A Tribe Called Quit: An Online Tobacco Healing Circle
- Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Program (Hamilton, ON)
- Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Workers Program
- Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Program (Fort Francis, ON)
- Addictions Counseling Programme (Toronto, ON)
- Addictions Treatment Program (Ottawa, ON)
- Alcohol and Drug Program (London, ON)
- Anishnawbe Health Toronto
- Baezhig Wawun Youth Centre (ON)
- CAMH Aboriginal Services (ON
- Dilico Adult Drug 7 Alcohol Treatment Centre (Thunder Bay, ON)
- Drug Addictions & Substance Abuse Awareness Workshop (Toronto, ON)
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-
For Erie Native Friendship Centre (ON)
Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre (Midland, ON)
Indian Friendship Centre (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
Mooka am (New Dawn) (Toronto, ON)
Ne’Chee Friendship Centre (Kenora, ON)
North Bay Indian Friendship Centre (ON)
N’Swakamok Friendship Centre (Sudbury, ON)
Pinganodin Lodge (ON)
Thunder bay Friendship Centre (ON)
Timmins Native Friendship Centre (ON)
Wabano Counselling Centre (Ottawa, ON)
Youth Outreach and Support Youth Program (Toronto, ON)
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