Pulling for Native communities: Alan Marlatt and the Journeys of the Circle

摘要

Alan Marlatt was an innovator and a champion of substance abuse prevention and treatment in Native American communities. He was the principal investigator of a National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism funded study called the Journeys of the Circle project. Journeys of the Circle was a collaboration between the University of Washington and the Seattle Indian Health Board and resulted in the Canoe Journey Life's Journey prevention curriculum for Native adolescents. The purpose of Canoe Journey Life's Journey is to learn life skills using cultural beliefs and practices. The curriculum uses the metaphor of going on a Canoe Journey to teach communication, problem solving, decision-making, and coping skills. It is widely recognized as a promising practice and has been implemented in numerous tribal communities in the United States and Canada. Alan's impact on Native communities extends far beyond Canoe Journey Life's Journey. Relapse prevention is an integral part of most treatment programs and harm reduction strategies are becoming increasingly more common in Native communities. Alan's passing is a profound loss but his teachings will continue.