From a story in the Anchorage Daily News, which appears to confirm the adage that the best social program is a job:
A study to be published in the American Journal of Public Health concludes that Alaska Natives are statistically less likely to kill themselves if they live in villages with prominent traditional elders, a high number of married couples and access to jobs. Yet outlawing alcohol in villages had no ‘statistically significant’ impact on the number of 15- to 34-year-old Native men who kill themselves, the study found.
The study also seems to confirm some of what Craig Medred wrote in his series, “Perils of Prohibition in rural Alaska.”
This article is a nice and valuable social reminder but hardly news. Unfortunately, our policy makers either refuse to believe it, ignore it or are unwilling or disinterested in trying to make a difference. Meanwhile, the chronic and horrific social problems and related economic costs soar. I have always believed that more prevention investment would result in a net savings to our communities, our families and our state treasury. Alaska’s inebriate problem is only getting worst. It can no longer be hidden and ignored. When you meet candidates runniing for office this year, ask them what they are going to do abouit the growing inebriate problem. Bet you’ll get a blank stare.