Anna Rita Spein1. 1. Centre for Sami Health Research, Karasjok, Norway. annas@ism.uit.no
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To summarise knowledge about substance use among young indigenous Sami living in Norway. STUDY DESIGN: Data from the North Norwegian Youth Study (NNYS)--a longitudinal questionnaire study conducted in 1994-1995 and 1997-1998 that represents the main source of information in the 1990s. METHODS: The 1994-1995 sample included 3,000 ethnically diverse high school students (response rate [RR]: 85%), while the 1997-1998 follow-up sample included 1500 respondents (RR: 55%). RESULTS: Young Sami did not show higher rates than their non-Sami peers for any of the investigated substances. In contrast, young Sami reported lower drinking rates at both assessments when compared with regional and national non-indigenous peers. Nonetheless, Sami with weaker cultural ties reported the highest intraethnic smoking and drinking rates. CONCLUSIONS: Young Sami are not at higher risk for substance use than their regional and national non-indigenous peers. These findings contrast some findings among other indigenous groups indicating "high" indigenous and "low" majority substance use rates.
OBJECTIVES: To summarise knowledge about substance use among young indigenous Sami living in Norway. STUDY DESIGN: Data from the North Norwegian Youth Study (NNYS)--a longitudinal questionnaire study conducted in 1994-1995 and 1997-1998 that represents the main source of information in the 1990s. METHODS: The 1994-1995 sample included 3,000 ethnically diverse high school students (response rate [RR]: 85%), while the 1997-1998 follow-up sample included 1500 respondents (RR: 55%). RESULTS: Young Sami did not show higher rates than their non-Sami peers for any of the investigated substances. In contrast, young Sami reported lower drinking rates at both assessments when compared with regional and national non-indigenous peers. Nonetheless, Sami with weaker cultural ties reported the highest intraethnic smoking and drinking rates. CONCLUSIONS: Young Sami are not at higher risk for substance use than their regional and national non-indigenous peers. These findings contrast some findings among other indigenous groups indicating "high" indigenous and "low" majority substance use rates.