Substance Abuse/Drugs

Examine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and substance use, with an emphasis on research specific to tribal communities and youth. Discuss the confounding effects of social economic factors and ethnicity-based differences in prevalence rates. Review culturally enhanced treatment options for ACEs. Explore specific strategies for caregivers, prevention specialists, treatment providers, criminal justice professionals, and community members. Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to: 

• Summarize research on the prevalence of ACEs among Native American/Alaska Native youth. 
• Explain the relationship between social economic factors, ethnicity-based differences, and prevalence rates. 
• Identify culturally-enhanced treatment options for ACEs.
• Describe specific strategies to increase positive outcomes for youth impacted by ACEs.

Social and emotional development can be defined as a process through which individuals acquire skills to increase self-awareness, improve relationships with others, and achieve their goals. These skills are essential to succeed in family, school, workplaces, and communities and are increasingly recognized as important to one’s success in a variety of life outcomes. The benefits of social and emotional skill development can therefore be leveraged in tribal communities to maximize the protective impact of these skills against negative outcomes, including addiction. Attend this webinar to discuss the importance of social emotional skills (SES) among children, youth and adults and the buffering effect of SES on addiction and trauma. Examine strategies to support SES development. Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to: 

• Summarize how social emotional skill development occurs at various ages 
• Explain the impact of SES on addiction and trauma 
• Identify four specific strategies to support SES development

Examine key predictors of underaged substance abuse. Discuss the long-term impact of underaged substance use, prevalence rates among tribal communities, and strategies to reduce or delay underaged substance use in tribal communities.

Upon completion of this webinar, you will be able to:

• List key predictors of underaged substance use
• Explain the critical importance of delaying use
• Identify skills and strategies specific to tribal communities in reducing underage substance use