Evaluating Canada's Drug Prevention Strategy and Creating a Meaningful Dialogue with Urban Aboriginal Youth

Abstract

This article describes some of the risks and challenges faced by Aboriginal youth living in Canadian cities. It evaluates four current drug prevention/education programs for this group and other at-risk youth. The lessons learned from these strategies lead to a proposal for a reflective education approach directed toward opening meaningful dialogue about drugs and alcohol with urban Aboriginal youths in group settings. The objectives of the approach are to create an open dialogue with youths, enhance problem-solving skills, minimize harm, and initiate a process of reflection about the role of drugs in the lives of young people. The goal is for the proposed approach to be implemented in various group contexts, including classrooms, workshops, talking circles, treatment centers and sports clubs. The article also explores the practice and policy dimensions of prevention-focused social work with Aboriginal youth.

Keywords:

• Aboriginal youth in Canada
• drug prevention
• drug education
• group work
• youth at risk
• policy
• group work with youth
• ethnic diversity
• antidrug campaign

Notes

1. Smudging is purification ceremony, commonly used before Talking Circles and performed across Canada in First Nations settings. Participants use this ritual, with some variability, to cleanse themselves, their food, or environment.