The Northwest Indian Treatment Center runs a 45-day inpatient treatment program in Elma, Washington. The Squaxin Island Tribe created the program to address an unmet need for culturally based drug and alcohol treatment centers for Indian people who grew up on reservations. The program specializes in treating people with chronic relapse patterns…

Indians have the lowest life expectancy of any group in the US; the general state of Indian health lags 25 years behind the rest of the population. Article discusses problems of health delivery systems, alternative approaches to health care, and some of the most pressing health problems. (DS)

Among 120 Cherokees and Cheyennes tested with Levenson's multidimensional locus of control scale, Cheyenne male alcoholics scored significantly lower on the internal scale than Cheyenne male nonalcoholics, and Cherokee female alcoholics scored significantly higher on the external scale than Cherokee female nonalcoholics. Contains 16 references.…

Studies of families, twins, and adoptees support a genetic predisposition to alcoholism. Alcohol metabolism may affect the regulation of alcohol intake, because interference with production or elimination of the alcohol metabolite acetaldehyde has behavioral effects. Ongoing research is examining individual and tribal differences in alcohol…

United Southern and Eastern Tribes (USET) mental health programs in six eastern states help Indian people with mental health, alcoholism, suicide prevention, and child, drug, or substance abuse problems. Available from White Cloud Center, Gaines Hall, Univ. of Oregon Health Services Center, 840 S. W. Gaines Road, Portland, Oregon 97201; $12…

Prevalence and correlates of adult physical assault and rape in six Native American tribes are presented (N = 1,368). Among women, 45% reported being physically assaulted and 14% were raped since age 18 years. For men, figures were 36% and 2%, respectively. Demographic characteristics, adverse childhood experiences, adulthood alcohol dependence,…

The "Being a Special Person" segment of the Choices and Careers: Free to Choose program is based upon five areas of study; this document features summaries of the information in those five units along with the basic aims of each unit. "The Outside You" unit focuses on being natural and the importance of good health habits.…

Questionnaires were used to determine the suitability and acceptability of using a live theatrical performance to develop awareness of alcohol related issues for Native people. Questionnaires completed by 139 members of the general audience and 65 key informants indicated a strong positive response to the play. (JHZ)

This leaders' guide is for use in group sessions or individual meetings with parents of girls participating in the Choices & Careers: Free to Choose program. It is based upon units the girls study, including "The Outside You,""Your Money,""Food and You,""Alcoholism,""Coping with Parents," and…

Three hearings held in Arizona, New Mexico, and South Dakota provide individual statements and panel presentations on problems, programs, and proposals for prevention, identification, treatment, and follow-up care of alcohol and drug abuse among American Indian juveniles. The majority of witnesses are members of Indian tribes in the three…

Addressing American Indians and the Indian Health Service (IHS), this report focuses on the process of Indian involvement and self-determination in health, emphasizing improvement of the effectiveness and responsiveness of Indian health services. Data derived from written documents, statistical figures, and personal interviews with over 200 people…

The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Project of the Indian Health Service was designed to identify existing cases of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome among the American Indian tribes (Navajo, Apache, Ute and 19 Pueblo Tribes) in the Southwest, establish a referral system to identify these children for treatment, estimate the prevalence of the problem, and work…

Authored by four American Indians, this handbook is concerned with topics directly related to the retention of Indian adult learners in the adult educational process. The topics are aimed at improved understanding of the tribal learner and improved adult educational programs. Topics include: (1) religion (approached from an educational viewpoint…

This resource guide provides information on programs, publications, organizations, and other resources related to prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The purpose of this guide is to assist health care providers to comply with Indian Health Service (IHS) FAS goals and objectives. It gives examples of community approaches to FAS prevention,…

The Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs met to receive testimony on a bill (S. 1298) to coordinate and expand services for the prevention, identification, and treatment of alcohol and drug abuse among Indian juveniles and a related bill (S. 1621) concerned with eligibility for attending Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools. Most testimony…