ABORIGINAL WOMEN DRUG USERS IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW: A STUDY OF THE ROLE OF SELF-IDENTITY IN THE HEALING JOURNEY

FUND: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Aboriginal People’s Health; Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse; First Nations and Inuit Health Branch; Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre; University of Saskatchewan; National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation; National Network for Aboriginal Mental Health Research; and Saskatchewan Ministry of Health

PARTNERS: National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

Illicit drug use amongst criminalized Aboriginal women is a serious health concern in Canada. Little is understood about how women’s healing is impacted by their views of themselves as, and the stigma associated with being, a drug user, involved in crime and an Aboriginal woman in Canadian society. Grounded in a community-based participatory approach to research and Aboriginal methodology, interviews were conducted with First Nations, Inuit and Métis women in treatment for illicit drug use. The research starts with an understanding of women’s drug use as a form of self-harm, that is, coping and surviving from emotional pain and distress rooted in abuse and violence in their lives (Fillmore and Dell, 2004). The study also examines how treatment workers view their roles in the women’s construction and re-construction of their identities and its impact on their healing. The goal of the study is to contribute original knowledge in the treatment field that can assist in improving the burden of ill health experienced by Aboriginal women in Canada.

FIRST TEAM MEETING, OTTAWA, DECEMBER 2005

Left back row – Cathy Fillmore, University of Winnipeg; Valerie Desjarlais, Quinton, SK; Colleen Anne Dell, University of Saskatchewan; Whisper Chase, Carleton University; Amy Romeo, Eel Ground, NB. Middle Row – Sheila Grantham, Carleton University; Ellen Smith, National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation; Freda Ahenakew, Cree Nations Treatment Haven; Sharon Acoose, First Nations University of Canada; Jennifer Kilty, University of Ottawa; Joyce Paul, Rising Sun Rehabilitatio Centre. Front Row – Kathleen Cayer, National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation; Richard Garlick, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

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ALCOHOL USE BY ABORIGINAL PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ACCESS TO CARE AND TREATMENT

FUND: Canadian Insitutes of Health Research, Insitute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health

PARTNER: Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network

This study supports the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network’s (CAAN’s) research agenda which includes exploring health service delivery merits to Aboriginal people with HIV/AIDS (APHAs), and in this case, those who use alcohol or are perceived to be using alcohol. This study explores the association between alcohol use and access to services from the perspectives of APHAs and service providers using a mixed methodology approach. The interrelated objectives are: (1) To determine the impact of alcohol use and/or perception of alcohol use on access to services by Aboriginal persons living with HIV/AIDS; (2) To document the extent to which service needs are being enhanced or compromised for APHAs who use alcohol or are perceived to be using alcohol; (3) To identify and discuss deficiencies in the provisions of services in the context of substance use; and (4) To develop policy and/or practice recommendations based on the findings.

As reported by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Aboriginal people are estimated to account for 7.5% of persons living with HIV in Canada at the end of 2005 and 9% of all new HIV infections in 2005. This shows an estimated overall infection rate in Aboriginal persons that is nearly 3 times higher than among non-Aboriginals. The fact that 61% of communities identify alcohol use as a problem exacerbates the concern. While research findings regarding the impact of alcohol on antiretroviral therapies are inconsistent, APHAs have reported that perceptions by health care professionals who assume a predilection to addiction and drug abuse based on ethnicity results in avoidance of health services, except in extreme circumstances. The skills and cultural competence of health care providers influence access to care. Jackson & Reimer, 2005 found prejudice to be prevalent among primary health care providers where APHAs are concerned. Recommendations by APHA participants point directly to ways in which access to and delivery of services can be improved. This team is therefore proposing to paint a clearer picture regarding the relationship between alcohol use and access to health care service delivery by APHAs.