National Committee for Addiction Treatment

Pacifi c Peoples and Substance Misuse

A SAMOAN MANS JOURNEY

I started drinking when I was 14. My father was often in hospital, so there was less family structure and social time, we did not go to church, and I drifted towards friends.

Of my parents, only my mother spoke English and as English was my main language my older sister became the family’s interpreter. There was a gap between what I learned in the world and at home.

By 15 I was regularly using marijuana, by 17 I was dabbling with pills and by 18, I was in prison on serious charges after a racial dispute between youths. I was in prison for almost five years, and my family never gave up on me. My parents and siblings displayed unceasing belief they would see me change. Even though they were both disabled they would always visit once a month, which was a three-hour drive each way on public transport.

In prison I learned some work skills, got fit and attended alcohol and other drug, and parenting education. Some of the prison programmes were useful but they meant nothing if they could not be applied within the family home. My family made space for me when I was released. They tried not to aggravate me, but I wasn’t very sociable and I didn’t know how to interact with them. I don’t know how they put up with me. But I guess

that’s the love. Love will always be there with Pacific Island families, but how they will behave will be different according to their understanding. Pacific communities try to contain rather than push someone out.

Then, and in the next eight troubled years of alcohol and other drug use, my family’s support did not leave me.

Community services and churches supported my family with valuable information so they could make informed decisions. But we also experienced language barriers, cultural misunderstandings and problems with social services - people who imposed their values and thoughts without understanding our family context.

It was difficult getting employment because of my criminal record, and soon I got involved in using and supplying drugs for money. I married, had children, and didn’t see anything wrong with my lifestyle. But when I had a daughter, the possibility that she could marry someone like me scared me. I wanted the best for my kids and that meant I needed to change, and going to church started that journey for me.

If you hear something enough, you start to listen, and I just kept going back even when things were hard. I wanted to change and I changed with a lot of help and support. Of my seven children, my four youngest only know me today in my drug-free life.

It took a long time to get accepted to study social work. Since qualifying I have worked in development initiatives in mental health, gambling, alcohol and drugs, youth and corrections. Being given employment and a chance to add to society created a whole new view of the world.

References1. Cook Island Maori, Fijian, Niuean, Samoan, Tokolauan, Tongan and Tuvaluan peoples are the seven main ethnic groups in the Pacific community in New Zealand.2. Ministry of Health, 20073. Te Rau Hinengaro4. The Ala Mo’ui Ministry of Health 2010

FACT SHEET - NOVEMBER 2010

Diversity is a defi ning characteristic of the Pacifi c population in New Zealand. ‘Pacifi c Peoples’ encompass many Pacifi c Island nations and communities who are linguistically, culturally and geographically distinct.1

Pacifi c People experience proportionally more alcohol and drug misuse problems compared to the general population. These statistics are compounded by the high proportion of young people in the Pacifi c population and the relative socioeconomic disadvantages.

In addition, many Pacifi c People experience poorer health and have fewer educational opportunities adding to the burden of families coping with alcohol and drug misuse. Family violence is a signifi cant concern to Pacifi c communities with much of this violence attributed to alcohol and drug misuse.

Pacifi c young people are more likely to have experience of physical assault, sexual harassment, a motor vehicle accident or another type of accident as a result of someone else’s drinking.2

Pacifi c People are overrepresented within a criminal justice setting where 83% of prisoners have a lifetime experience of substance misuse.

PACIFIC SERVICES

Pacific addiction treatment services are consistent with the wider aims and aspirations of Pacific Pacific addiction treatment services are consistent with the wider aims and aspirations of Pacific Pacific addiction treatment services are consistent with the wider aims and aspirations of Pacific Pacific addiction treatment services are consistent with the wider aims and aspirations of Pacific communities’ development. They are concerned with engaging the whole aiga/fanau/magafaoa communities’ development. They are concerned with engaging the whole aiga/fanau/magafaoa communities’ development. They are concerned with engaging the whole aiga/fanau/magafaoa communities’ development. They are concerned with engaging the whole aiga/fanau/magafaoa and are centre stage in the wellbeing of the family. and are centre stage in the wellbeing of the family. and are centre stage in the wellbeing of the family.

Addiction services must be supported by Pacific values and incorporate Pacific approaches to ddiction services must be supported by Pacific values and incorporate Pacific approaches to ddiction services must be supported by Pacific values and incorporate Pacific approaches to ddiction services must be supported by Pacific values and incorporate Pacific approaches to health and well-being. Such treatment integrates cultural and clinical processes, by taking a health and well-being. Such treatment integrates cultural and clinical processes, by taking a health and well-being. Such treatment integrates cultural and clinical processes, by taking a health and well-being. Such treatment integrates cultural and clinical processes, by taking a holistic view of consumers in the context of family/aiga/fanau/magafaoa. holistic view of consumers in the context of family/aiga/fanau/magafaoa. holistic view of consumers in the context of family/aiga/fanau/magafaoa. holistic view of consumers in the context of family/aiga/fanau/magafaoa.

Treatment for Pacific People incorporates the inter-related elements of culture, language, Treatment for Pacific People incorporates the inter-related elements of culture, language, Treatment for Pacific People incorporates the inter-related elements of culture, language, Treatment for Pacific People incorporates the inter-related elements of culture, language, aiga/fanau/magafaoa, local community, and church as fundamental to optimum health and aiga/fanau/magafaoa, local community, and church as fundamental to optimum health and aiga/fanau/magafaoa, local community, and church as fundamental to optimum health and aiga/fanau/magafaoa, local community, and church as fundamental to optimum health and recovery.

Pacific addiction services are developed, delivered and evaluated by Pacific, supported by Matua Pacific addiction services are developed, delivered and evaluated by Pacific, supported by Matua Pacific addiction services are developed, delivered and evaluated by Pacific, supported by Matua Pacific addiction services are developed, delivered and evaluated by Pacific, supported by Matua Pacific addiction services are developed, delivered and evaluated by Pacific, supported by Matua Pacific addiction services are developed, delivered and evaluated by Pacific, supported by Matua and mandated by local communities. Treatment is provided in a range of settings and in ways and mandated by local communities. Treatment is provided in a range of settings and in ways and mandated by local communities. Treatment is provided in a range of settings and in ways and mandated by local communities. Treatment is provided in a range of settings and in ways that acknowledge and respond to the variety of experiences of contemporary Pacific People.that acknowledge and respond to the variety of experiences of contemporary Pacific People.that acknowledge and respond to the variety of experiences of contemporary Pacific People.that acknowledge and respond to the variety of experiences of contemporary Pacific People.There is evidence that adherence to Pacific cultural practice increases access and retention in There is evidence that adherence to Pacific cultural practice increases access and retention in There is evidence that adherence to Pacific cultural practice increases access and retention in There is evidence that adherence to Pacific cultural practice increases access and retention in treatment.

ACCESS TO SERVICES

Low rates of addiction and mental health service access from Pacific Peoples suggests that many Low rates of addiction and mental health service access from Pacific Peoples suggests that many Low rates of addiction and mental health service access from Pacific Peoples suggests that many Low rates of addiction and mental health service access from Pacific Peoples suggests that many struggle to find the assistance they need.struggle to find the assistance they need.struggle to find the assistance they need.3,4

Mainstream addiction services may not always work in a manner that is inviting to Pacific PeMainstream addiction services may not always work in a manner that is inviting to Pacific PeMainstream addiction services may not always work in a manner that is inviting to Pacific PeMainstream addiction services may not always work in a manner that is inviting to Pacific People,nor may they always fully understand the impact of the different cultural paradigms amongst may they always fully understand the impact of the different cultural paradigms amongst may they always fully understand the impact of the different cultural paradigms amongst may they always fully understand the impact of the different cultural paradigms amongst Pacific Peoples. Pacific specific services are absent from many areas of New Zealand.Pacific Peoples. Pacific specific services are absent from many areas of New Zealand.

Many Pacific PeoMany Pacific PeoMany Pacific Peoplplple enter addiction treatment as a consequence of offending or they are forced enter addiction treatment as a consequence of offending or they are forced enter addiction treatment as a consequence of offending or they are forced to do so by other pressures, including from aiga/fanau/magafaoa. to do so by other pressures, including from aiga/fanau/magafaoa. to do so by other pressures, including from aiga/fanau/magafaoa. to do so by other pressures, including from aiga/fanau/magafaoa.

All treatment options for PacifAll treatment options for PacifAll treatment options for Pacific Peoples whether coerced or voluntary must engage the consumer, s whether coerced or voluntary must engage the consumer, s whether coerced or voluntary must engage the consumer, understand local communities and cultures, build on strength rather then deficit, and involve understand local communities and cultures, build on strength rather then deficit, and involve understand local communities and cultures, build on strength rather then deficit, and involve understand local communities and cultures, build on strength rather then deficit, and involve aiga/fanau/magafaoa. aiga/fanau/magafaoa. aiga/fanau/magafaoa.

Pacific addiction treatment can be delivered in the community. While attending a counselling Pacific addiction treatment can be delivered in the community. While attending a counselling Pacific addiction treatment can be delivered in the community. While attending a counselling Pacific addiction treatment can be delivered in the community. While attending a counselling clinic may be too greater step for some Pacific People, services can be embedded in schools or clinic may be too greater step for some Pacific People, services can be embedded in schools or clinic may be too greater step for some Pacific People, services can be embedded in schools or clinic may be too greater step for some Pacific People, services can be embedded in schools or primary care. primary care.

WHAT IS NEEDED?

• Address PacifAddress Pacific Peoples substance misuse across health, social and justice environments es substance misuse across health, social and justice environments es substance misuse across health, social and justice environments es substance misuse across health, social and justice environments es substance misuse across health, social and justice environments especially amongst Pacific youthespecially amongst Pacific youthespecially amongst Pacific youth

• Invest in Pacific addiction services urgently in partnership with local communities• Invest in Pacific addiction services urgently in partnership with local communities• Invest in Pacific addiction services urgently in partnership with local communities• Invest in Pacific addiction services urgently in partnership with local communities

• Improve capacity in mainstream addiction services to respond to Pacific clients in a • Improve capacity in mainstream addiction services to respond to Pacific clients in a • Improve capacity in mainstream addiction services to respond to Pacific clients in a • Improve capacity in mainstream addiction services to respond to Pacific clients in a culturally appropriate and engaging mannerculturally appropriate and engaging mannerculturally appropriate and engaging mannerculturally appropriate and engaging manner

• Locate addiction services where the Pac• Locate addiction services where the Pac• Locate addiction services where the Pacific Peoc Peopple can naturally engage with them le can naturally engage with them le can naturally engage with them

• Develop a Pacific therapeutic community evelop a Pacific therapeutic community evelop a Pacific therapeutic community for Pacific People who for Pacific People who need a residenneed a residenneed a residential programme to achieve recoveryprogramme to achieve recoveryprogramme to achieve recovery

• Develop a professional workforce that can effectively engage with Pacif• Develop a professional workforce that can effectively engage with Pacific People

• Inform Courts and Community Probation Services about the substance misuse problems of Pacific offenders and help them direct Pacific offenders towards treatment

• Support and strengthen the voice of Pacific People in the development of all future Pacific and mainstream addiction services.

HOME

VISION

FACT SHEETS

INVESTING IN ADDICTION TREATMENT

MEMBERSAND CONTACT

FACTSHEETS:

DOWNLOAD NOVEMBER 2010PACIFIC PEOPLES

DOWNLOAD JULY 2010

YOUTH

DOWNLOAD MARCH 2010TREATMENT

DOWNLOAD FEBRUARY 2010

GAMBLING

DOWNLOAD NOVEMBER 2009

METHAMPETAMINES

DOWNLOAD SEPTEMBER 2009

ALCOHOL

DOWNLOAD JUNE 2009

YOUTH

DOWNLOAD MARCH 2009

JUSTICE

DOWNLOAD SEPTEMBER2008

TREATMENT