Illicit Drug and Alcohol Use

Alcohol was at first not allowed on reservations by law, now it is the tribal governments’ choice as to whether or not it will be allowed. Below I have some statistics comparing the total Native American population to the total U.S population. The percent of people with incomes below the 1999 poverty level: 26% total Native American population, 12% total US population. The sources of income for Native Americans and whites are: wages and salary 81% and 78% respectively, self employment 10% and 12% respectively, social security 18% and 26% respectively, public assistance 10% and 3% respectively, and retirement income, 11% and 17% respectively. Following are questions that were asked a test group of different ages. The age ranges are 12-17, 18-25, and 26 and older. Have you used alcohol in the last month? 54% of Native Americans between the ages 18 and 25 did, and 62% white Americans between the age 18 and 25 did. 46% of Native Americans age 26 and older did, while 56% of white Americans age 26 and older did. Have you used marijuana in the last month? 17% of Native Americans between the ages 12 and 17 did, while 8% of white Americans between the ages 12 and 17 did. Have you used any illicit drug in the last month? 21% of Native Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 did, while 12% of white Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 did. 27% of Native Americans ages 18-25 did, while 20% of white Americans ages 18-25 did. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? 51% of Native Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 did, while 34% of white Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 did. 83% of Native Americans ages 18-25 did, wile 72% of white Americans ages 18-25 did. 83% of Native Americans ages 26 and up did, while only 75% of white Americans ages 26 and up did. The lifetime alcohol prevalence between 1985-1989 for Native American females is 91.4, while for white females it was 94.0. The lifetime alcohol prevalence between 1985-1989 for Native American males is 89.1, while for white males it was 93.8. Canada-based Asian DTO’s and Mexican DTO’s frequently smuggled their goods through the reservations, meant for other places. However, they could not pass up such easy targets. Native American teens are easy targets because of self-confidence. Also, because of the poverty and unemployment in some, but not most, reservations. Also present is racism. At school and work, receiving pay and job opportunities, racism constantly surrounds Native Americans. They have been told they are not as good as whites, they are savages, redskins, inferior, etc. Having been constantly told that, they no longer believe in themselves and their own beauty, inner and outer. This feeling of inferiority and worthlessness makes Native Americans good targets for illegal drugs and underage drinking because they wish to drown out and cover up their sorrows.