Native American Teens at Higher Risk for Substance Abuse

A recent study has found that Native American adolescents are at greater risk of alcohol and drug abuse than other American teens.

Survey results were collected from 1,700 Native American students at 31 schools across the United States and compared with the University of Michigan ‘Monitoring the Future’ survey - a study tracking substance use across a sampling of U.S. adolescents. 

Results showed that lifetime usage of American Indian students for all substance measures except tranquilizers and amphetamines were greater than those found within the Monitoring the Future survey. Last-30-day illicit drug use rates, excluding marijuana, for American Indian students in 8th, 10thand 12thgrade were 6.4%, 6.7%, and 9.7%, compared with corresponding Monitoring the Future rates of 2.7%, 4.4%, and 6.9%.

One of the explanations provided, as to why there is such disparity between the results of the two surveys, is that these youths are more likely to experience high rates of trauma and loss. Research has shown that there is a link between these adverse experiences and higher instances of alcohol and drug use.

High rates of both lifetime exposure and current use place these youths at greater risk for development of substance use disorders. The findings highlight the critical need for early prevention efforts that are culturally adapted for American Indian youths.