Reducing alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use by Dededo youth through education preventionstrategies. - Hafa Adai (pronounced HALF A DAY) is “hello” in CHamoru, the native language of Guam and the Islands of the Northern Marianas. Guam is an island community located in the western North Pacific Ocean. Guam is the westernmost U.S. territory and the gateway between the U.S. and Asia. Because of its strategic location, Guam is an important military and commercial hub between the U.S., the Asian Continent, and Australia. Guam’s location also plays a significant role in the movement of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drugs onto the island. Dededo is the most populated village in Guam, with a population of 44,943 (U.S. Census Bureau). Within Dededo, 51% of the population was born outside of Guam and comprises diverse nationalities including native Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, Chinese, and Carolinians, all of whom speak different languages and dialects. With such a large nonnative population, English is the second language for 48% of the individuals on the island. This creates language barriers in the community at large and at home between parent and child. Eight percent (8%) of Dededos population is between 10 and 19 years old, with females slightly outnumbering males (53% of the total population). Eighty-five percent (85%) of families with children under the age of 18 live in poverty. Forty-four percent (44%) of the entire population is under age 25. The unemployment rate is 8.5% and household per capita income is $12,864. Seventy-five percent (75%) of Guam residents are Roman Catholic, 17.7% are Protestants, and the remaining 7.3% identify as other. CHamoru is the largest ethnic group at 37.3% followed by Filipino at 26.3%, which 7.1%, and Chuukese 7%. Nearly 4,000 households reported as living with a partner (U.S. Census).
Community needs assessment have identified a significant need for culturally appropriate, youth substance use and misuse education and prevention services. According to Guam’s State Epidemiological Workgroup, there is high prevalence of detrimental social, economic, and health consequences arising from tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other substances. There is a significant disparity between the availability of education prevention and treatment services for persons with alcohol and drug use and misuse disorders and the demand for services. Substance use and misuse prevention has been identified as a major public health priority for the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center; however, drug education, prevention, and early intervention remains one of the most underfunded and underdeveloped parts of the continuum. Historical events including cultural, demographic and attitudinal shifts have impacted youth substance use and misuse. Poverty, unemployment, blurring of gender roles, and loss of ancestral language and relation, have been experienced as a loss by youth on Guam. Such life pathways may lead negatively towards a reduced capacity to respond to life events, which can lead to adverse social outcomes.
