CLINICIAN BELIEFS AND PRACTICES RELATED TO INCREASING RESPONSIVITY TO THE NEEDS OF MAORI WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROBLEMS

Abstract

Culturally responsive treatments are often cited as essential for successfully addressing substance use-associated problems in indigenous and other ethnicgroups. However, there has been little investigation of the support for this assertion among alcohol and drug-user treatment workers, or how it might translate into clinical practice. The current paper reports on the results of a survey of the New Zealand alcohol and drug-user treatment field, which canvassed these issues. Eighty-six percent of respondents advocated adjustment of clinical practice when working with Maori. Two key strategies were referral to specialist Maori groups or individuals and/or contacting/meeting with whanau (family). Comparisons were made between respondents who referred clients on and those who provided intervention themselves. Implications of results, limitations and future research are discussed.

• Cultural responsivity
• Indigenous
• Maori
• Treatment
• Workforce
• Survey