The HAWK² Program: A Computer-Based Drug Prevention Intervention for Native American Youth

Abstract

Background: American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) have some of the highest rates of substance use compared with other ethnic groups. Native American youth start experimenting with drugs at younger ages, continue to use them after initial experimentation, and thus seem to mirror the same drug use patterns as their older peers. Despite the seriousness of the problem, there is a lack of evidence-based drug prevention interventions for AI/AN youth. Objectives: This review article describes the process by which an existing evidence-based, culturally relevant drug prevention intervention was transformed into a low-cost, computerized intervention digitized in order to extend its reach to Native American youth in reservations and rural locations. Methods: The intervention, titled HAWK² (Honoring Ancient Wisdom and Knowledge²: Prevention and Cessation) is aimed at young Native children in elementary school settings (grades 4 and 5) and uses engaging multimedia features such as games, animations, and video clips to impart substance abuse prevention knowledge and skills training. The development of this intervention was a collaborative process involving the participation of community experts, research scientists, school teachers, and practitioners, as well as Native youth. Specific examples are provided to illustrate the development processes. Results: Initial feedback from practitioners and youth suggest the feasibility and acceptability of computer-based interventions by Native youth and practitioners. Scientific Significance: Computer-based interventions are a cost-effective way of engaging youth in prevention programming. Future studies of HAWK² will provide an important means of testing the long-term effectiveness of self-administered, computer-based interventions for AI/AN youth.

• adolescent
• Native American
• drug prevention

Notes

1. In recent years, the Indian Health Services has strongly advocated the use of emerging technologies and new media strategies for expanding the reach of preventive and treatment-oriented behavioral interventions, particularly in rural and remote communities (21).

2. For example, an outcome study involving 1396 Native youth from 10 reservations in Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota found lower follow-up rates of smokeless tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use for youth who had received the SIDPP intervention than for those who were in the control group (5).

3. The internet presence is growing in rural and remote areas. Ninety-five percent of instructional rooms in rural public schools have internet access (22), and more than 70% of rural adolescents regularly access the Internet from their homes or their friends’ homes (23).

4. Youth usability data collection procedures were approved by the full Institutional Review Board at our organization.