Substance Abuse in Native Communities: A New Impact

Nathanial Kenneth Bird

Ohkay Owingeh and Cochiti Pueblo

Cite: "Bird, Nate. Summer of 2021

Identity - "The fact of being who or what a person or thing is."

According to a study that was conducted on my topic “Substance Abuse” by the SAMHSA organization that was directed toward getting accurate numbers of the AI/AN population compared to the US population to show similarities and differences, they did this by sending out a survey to many local AI/AN so that they could record and count how many was involved or affected by the topic. We also get a general overview of what problems are rising, present, and that are in need of some serious work and solutions. To do this, there were a total of 5 databases that were made to contribute and to possibly put an end to the matter so that in the future, one of many things could happen: 1) We don’t have to deal with the matter any longer due to a success with making a positive/impactful change. 2) Lower the cases of the problem so that it’s not as bad as it is today. Or 3) Temporarily stop the rates so that if this problem does occur once more, we will be prepared to and will know what to do. This article connects to my SHP because it shows a lot of what substance abuse has done to a lot of the communities, it also gives me more information on my topic so that I know what is being addressed. This also unlocks a path we can take to figure out a way to make a positive and impactful change.

For the next article, this “Examines substance and behavioral addictions among American Indian and Alaskan Natives to identify the structural and physiological risk and cultural protective factors associated with the substance behavioral addictions.” This also recognizes the topic so that they can come up with various solutions that can provide or bring awareness so that problems like these don’t affect future generations along with the present and past generations. This article connects to my SHP topic because it makes me more aware and familiar with what problem is being addressed so that I can unlock a path where we can hear the voices of our communities, make connections with them, and make a positive and an impactful change.

This article compares drug addiction within the Native American population to other ethnic backgrounds that are in and around their communities. This helps generate a sight where people can realize that there is a very big problem in our communities and potentially help out. This connects to my SHP because it gives me my reasons why I chose the topic I did, not only have I experienced losing someone close to me, but others have too, and these people are my group, they are my family, and I need to help them along with their environments.

Research Log 4

Cite: "Bird, Nate. Summer of 2021

Identity - "The fact of being who or what a person or thing is."

"Sharing One Skin" Jeannette Armstrong - Okanagan Community

This article is about Jeannette being very connected to her place, land, culture, and herself, she shares that there are four selves of a person. One being emotional, then thinking, physical, and spiritual. She conveys this by sharing with us that what we do, is considered "human". In many other portions of the article, she talks more about her people, her responsibilities that she obtains when she enters any type of place.

She lastly expresses the idea of an uncontrollable fire that cannot be tamed, can destroy what's around it. This is equivalent to a person who overthinks and that how the state they're in, can create a lot of problems.

Article 2: B.Toastie: "How place names impact the way we see landscape"

This article is about how a given name for a place can potentially change the way people see that place. Not only what name is given but the history behind the landscape also affects how one could connect and perceive the landscape as well. A quote by Laura Tohe provides some words from their perception on the subject, "A lot of places are attached to the story. And those stories are important for us to remember, because they're really telling us something about ourselves and our Past." "We have to show the proper reverence for these places. So we don't pollute them."

Research:

Article 1: SAMHSA AI/AN Survey

According to a study that was conducted on my topic “Substance Abuse” by the SAMHSA organization that was directed toward getting accurate numbers of the AI/AN population compared to the US population to show similarities and differences, they did this by sending out a survey to many local AI/AN so that they could record and count how many was involved or affected by the topic. We also get a general overview of what problems are rising, present, and that are in need of some serious work and solutions. To do this, there were a total of 5 databases that were made to contribute and to possibly put an end to the matter so that in the future, one of many things could happen: 1) We don’t have to deal with the matter any longer due to a success with making a positive/impactful change. 2) Lower the cases of the problem so that it’s not as bad as it is today. Or 3) Temporarily stop the rates so that if this problem does occur once more, we will be prepared to and will know what to do. This article connects to my SHP because it shows a lot of what substance abuse has done to a lot of the communities, it also gives me more information on my topic so that I know what is being addressed. This also unlocks a path we can take to figure out a way to make a positive and impactful change.

Article 2: Comparison

For the next article, this “Examines substance and behavioral addictions among American Indian and Alaskan Natives to identify the structural and physiological risk and cultural protective factors associated with the substance behavioral addictions.” This also recognizes the topic so that they can come up with various solutions that can provide or bring awareness so that problems like these don’t affect future generations along with the present and past generations. This article connects to my SHP topic because it makes me more aware and familiar with what problem is being addressed so that I can unlock a path where we can hear the voices of our communities, make connections with them, and make a positive and an impactful change.

This article compares drug addiction within the Native American population to other ethnic backgrounds that are in and around their communities. This helps generate a sight where people can realize that there is a very big problem in our communities and potentially help out. This connects to my SHP because it gives me my reasons why I chose the topic I did, not only have I experienced losing someone close to me, but others have too, and these people are my group, they are my family, and I need to help them along with their environments.

Research Log 4

Article 1: