Substance Abuse in an Urban Aboriginal Population

Abstract

This work is the result of a research program developed from a research partnership between the Native Mental Health Research Team of McGill University and the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal, a Native-run urban community-based service organization. The aims of the study were to examine substance abuse as well as physical and mental health among an urban Aboriginal population. The nature and severity of drug or alcohol problems in this population were explored. Data was collected through structured interviews with urban Aboriginal people in the greater Montreal area (n = 202). Results indicate that the majority of the sample were single, unemployed, and had lived in the urban area for a long time (mean of 9.96 V .76 years). Approximately two thirds of the sample were current alcohol drinkers and cigarette smokers and one third of the sample reported having a current drug or alcohol problem. Results indicate that individuals who abused substances were more likely to live with someone who had a drug or alcohol problem. Substance abusers also had a greater history of legal problems with more convictions, time spent in jail, and were more likely to be on probation or parole. A large proportion of the sample reported having significant medical problems that required treatment, and substance abusers were less likely to have identification needed to access medical services. Results indicated high levels of psychological distress in the general sample (depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide). These phenomena were augmented by substance abuse problems. In particular, substance abusers had a history of more suicide attempts, and were more likely to have been the victims of abuse.

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