Exploring culturally-based drug resistance strategies used by American Indian adolescents of the Southwest

This article presents the findings of a qualitative research study conducted with a group of 19 American Indian students attending a semi-urban middle school in the Southwest. Participants in small gender-specific focus groups reported on the strategies they most commonly use to avoid offers of alcohol and other drugs. Three primary strategies were identified: (1) redirecting, (2) avoiding/leaving, and (3) refusing. Implications for culturally-based substance abuse prevention are discussed, and suggestions for the incorporation of these strategies are made.