The rates of addictive behaviour and substance related problems are a growing problem within the Aboriginal communities. Represented dramatically through statistics gathered from surveys, approximately 75% residents of the First Nation and Inuit communities feel as though alcohol is a predominant problem within their community (Khan 2008). From Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) to domestic violence, suicide, and social dislocation, Aboriginal communities continue to be ravaged by problems related to substance use and other addictive behaviours. This paper will provide an analysis based upon quantitative and qualitative research highlighting the problems within addictive behaviours in Aboriginal groups, as well as focusing on some of
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The Canadian constitution recognizes three groups of aboriginals: First Nations, Métis, and the Inuit. There are over 1.4 million people in Canada that identify themselves as Aboriginals: First Nations, Métis, and the Inuit. There are over 1.4 million people in Canada that identify themselves as an Aboriginal (Statistics Canada, 2011). Each aboriginal group carries with them their own definitions of culture, history, traditions, and spiritual beliefs. Popularly associated with strength, power, culture, independence and music, aboriginals are quietly suffering from array of mental health and addiction diseases. At large, aboriginal peoples are faced with more hardships throughout their lives than the average Canadian. With some aboriginal reserves being said to be comparable to severe third world living conditions (Wyld, 2011), Aboriginals are faced with high rates of incarceration, rates of unemployment, poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and an array of health risks. They also suffer from lower levels of education, in that compared to the average Canadian; the rate of dropouts in aboriginal communities is three times higher than non-aboriginals (Brown, 2014). From looking at these devastating statistics, we as social workers need to take a step back and call into question the reasons for the countless aboriginals suffering within Canada. By analyzing the history of Canada as well as the Aboriginal tribes within Canada, it is evident that a combination of isolation, self-government and high levels of poverty, and language barriers can be said to have lead to the inevitable increase of the abuse of substances – mainly alcohol – within aboriginal
The Canadian constitution recognizes three groups of aboriginals: First Nations, Métis, and the Inuit. There are over 1.4 million people in Canada that identify themselves as Aboriginals: First Nations, Métis, and the Inuit. There are over 1.4 million people in Canada that identify themselves as an Aboriginal (Statistics Canada, 2011). Each aboriginal group carries with them their own definitions of culture, history, traditions, and spiritual beliefs. Popularly associated with strength, power, culture, independence and music, aboriginals are quietly suffering from array of mental health and addiction diseases. At large, aboriginal peoples are faced with more hardships throughout their lives than the average Canadian. With some aboriginal reserves being said to be comparable to severe third world living conditions (Wyld, 2011), Aboriginals are faced with high rates of incarceration, rates of unemployment, poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and an array of health risks. They also suffer from lower levels of education, in that compared to the average Canadian; the rate of dropouts in aboriginal communities is three times higher than non-aboriginals (Brown, 2014). From looking at these devastating statistics, we as social workers need to take a step back and call into question the reasons for the countless aboriginals suffering within Canada. By analyzing the history of Canada as well as the Aboriginal tribes within Canada, it is evident that a combination of isolation, self-government and high levels of poverty, and language barriers can be said to have lead to the inevitable increase of the abuse of substances – mainly alcohol – within aboriginal