Promising Practices and Strategies to Reduce Alcohol and Substance Abuse amongAmerican Indians and Alaska Natives

摘要

The Department of Justice is committed to supporting the efforts of tribalgovernments to develop comprehensive strategies to address alcohol and substance abuse and related crime. Such strategies draw people together to act in unison to build a partnership composed of tribal leaders, the tribal court, prosecutors, law enforcement agents, corrections personnel, spiritual leaders and tribal members. The Programs showcased in this publication represent three types of policy initiatives designed to reduce alcohol abuse and increase community safety: (1) efforts that control the availability of alcohol within a tribal jurisdiction; (2) educational and treatment efforts; and (3) efforts that reduce the social and environmental factors that increase the risk of harm to the individual and community. These policy initiatives are making a difference in the lives of Indian people. Common themes reflected in the design of these initiatives provide valuable insight for future efforts. Qualities found in each of the programs include: services providing a link to the spiritual belief of the Indian person, services that are culturally reflective of the Indian community, and services that strengthen the relationship of the Indian person to his or her community. These key qualities reflect not only the success of the programs but also speak to the history, survival, and future of Indian Nations in the United States. People working in these programs enthusiastically shared their experiences in the hope of helping others, and their efforts are much appreciated. Their hard work moves us closer to a time when alcohol abuse no longer endangers the lives of Indian people and the spirit of Indian Nations. We hope that this publication will help advance this goal.