Harm reduction acceptability and feasibility in a North American indigenous reserve community

• Published in: Journal of community psychology Vol. 50; no. 8; pp. 3607 - 3624
• Main Authors: Goldstein, Silvi C., Spillane, Nichea S., Nalven, Tessa, Weiss, Nicole H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2022
• Subjects: Alcohol; alcohol‐related harm; American Indians; Community; Cross cultural studies; Cultural tradition; Feasibility Studies; Harm Reduction; Health Personnel; Health services; Humans; indigenous culture; indigenous tradition; North America; North American Indigenous; Strategies; Surveys and Questionnaires; treatment; North America; alcohol; indigenous culture; alcohol-related harm; treatment; indigenous tradition; North American Indigenous; harm reduction
• ISSN: 0090-4392; 1520-6629
• DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22859

Aims The present study assessed community and culturally specific alcohol‐related harm among North American Indigenous (NAI) individuals, as well as the acceptability and feasibility of harm reduction approaches in one reserve‐based NAI community. Methods Participants lived on or near a NAI reserve in Canada. Semi‐structured focus groups were conducted with health care workers (N = 8, 75% NAI) and community members (N = 9, 100% NAI). Self‐report questionnaires were administered that measured acceptability and feasibility of harm reduction strategies. Results Conventional content analysis revealed loss of culture as culturally specific alcohol‐related harm. Health care workers rated harm reduction approaches to be acceptable and feasible, while community participants were more mixed. Majority of participants felt that some harm reduction strategies could provide opportunities for individuals who use alcohol to connect to Indigenous culture and traditions. However, there were mixed findings on whether harm reduction strategies are consistent with Indigenous cultural traditions and values. Conclusion Future research is needed to evaluate potential utility of harm‐reduction approaches for NAI communities.