Aboriginal Views on Intervention and Spirituality
- The Aboriginal community recognizes youth who smoke cannabis are trying to escape reality as a result of discomfort, distress or discontent; therefore, many Aboriginals consider the medicine wheel a vital tool for healing drug addictions. As a result, the spirituality component of the medicine wheel has become increasing important as it links youth to their traditional ways of healing.
- Aboriginals don't believe in harm reduction they believe in abstinence.
- Ceremonies
- Songs
- Music
- Dance
- Physical cures using herbal & animal remedies
- Accumulated wisdom of elders
- Tobacco
- Smudging
- Sweats
- Healing spiritually involves an on going process involving families, communities and nations.
- Aboriginals believe when the spiritually component of the medicine wheel is heeled, it affects the other components of the medicine wheel; impacting self and relationships with family.
- Weakness in any area of the medicine wheel causes a person to be unbalanced; for example, when a person is experiencing physical manifestations of an illness they will remain ill until they understand how there pain relates to the spirit or universal law.
- Additive behavior can be overcome by focusing on the spiritual realms of the medicine wheel.
- Negative patterns can be resisted, understood and overcome through spiritual healing.
The Harm Reduction Approach
The harm reduction approach is considered a "middle ground". It is neither overly restrictive or overly lax (CPHL, 2010).
Discuss your preference that they not use marijuana or other substances at all, but identify drug-using situations that are particularly unsafe and really need to be avoided (for example, using around driving and sexual situations, using to the point of intoxication, using in combination with other substances or medications, or while involved in physical or cognitive activity) (CPHL, 2010).
Be aware of your own relationship with intoxicants, and show a readiness to make healthy choices
Look for natural opportunities to discuss substance use issues; use occasions when the child has been or may be in a drug-using situation as an opportunity to discuss their use or non-use (CPHL, 2010).
Above all:
Picture credit: http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/26819/teen-alcohol-tobacco-use-falls-historic-lows-media-feds-want-talk-pot/
Discuss your preference that they not use marijuana or other substances at all, but identify drug-using situations that are particularly unsafe and really need to be avoided (for example, using around driving and sexual situations, using to the point of intoxication, using in combination with other substances or medications, or while involved in physical or cognitive activity) (CPHL, 2010).
Be aware of your own relationship with intoxicants, and show a readiness to make healthy choices
Look for natural opportunities to discuss substance use issues; use occasions when the child has been or may be in a drug-using situation as an opportunity to discuss their use or non-use (CPHL, 2010).
Above all:
- listen to the child: their perceptions are the reality that must be addressed;
- help them with their “decisional balance” by weighing perceived benefits against risks; use this article as a reference;
- young people are influenced by their perception of what is “normal.” Point out that although it may seem “everyone” is using marijuana, the majority in most schools and grades do not use marijuana (CPHL, 2010).
Picture credit: http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/26819/teen-alcohol-tobacco-use-falls-historic-lows-media-feds-want-talk-pot/
How harm reduction may help a parent, teen or clinician with cannabis misuse among Aboriginal adolescents
· Harm reduction accepts that some drug use is inevitable and even a social norm. It may appeal to teens who as a demographic, are sensitive to criticisms from parents, teachers and especially, peers
· Canadian drug abuse strategies have been heavily influenced by the harm reduction approach over the past 25 years. Supporters provide users with services aimed at reducing harms related to their use (Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, 2007).
· Harm reduction strategies related to cannabis include reliable information and education programs. It also includes prevention and treatment initiatives (Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, 2007).
· Harm reduction gives the cold, hard facts. It allows teens the opportunity to make informed decisions and guide their own life.
· Families of teens using cannabis may feel less alone using a harm-reduction approach. They are given tools other than abstinence, and allowed leeway to work with their teens rather than against them.
· Canadian drug abuse strategies have been heavily influenced by the harm reduction approach over the past 25 years. Supporters provide users with services aimed at reducing harms related to their use (Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, 2007).
· Harm reduction strategies related to cannabis include reliable information and education programs. It also includes prevention and treatment initiatives (Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, 2007).
· Harm reduction gives the cold, hard facts. It allows teens the opportunity to make informed decisions and guide their own life.
· Families of teens using cannabis may feel less alone using a harm-reduction approach. They are given tools other than abstinence, and allowed leeway to work with their teens rather than against them.
Photo credit: http://www.photosensitive.com/imgs/native-children-happy.jpg
References:
Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse (2007). Substance abuse in Canada: Youth in focus. Retrieved from www.ccsa.ca/2007%20CCSA%20Documents/ccsa-011521-2007-e.pdf.
Canada's Public Health Leader (CPHL, 2010). Marijuana, is it safe? - part 1. Retrieved from http://www.cpha.ca/en/portals/substance/article03.aspx
Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse (2007). Substance abuse in Canada: Youth in focus. Retrieved from www.ccsa.ca/2007%20CCSA%20Documents/ccsa-011521-2007-e.pdf.
Canada's Public Health Leader (CPHL, 2010). Marijuana, is it safe? - part 1. Retrieved from http://www.cpha.ca/en/portals/substance/article03.aspx
Presentation created by Nicola Bancroft, Maureen Jenkins, Corrine Painter & Tanya Sutherland