Alcohol Control Policies in
Native American Communities
Devyn Vazquez
Nova Southeastern University

The indigenous people of North America have settled in areas across the present day United States and continue to live on and off reservations throughout America’s fifty states. Throughout Native Americans longstanding history the significant battle with alcohol has not only tarnished the culture of numerous tribes and the public perception of American Indians, but alcohol use has ruined the lives of countless people. The introduction of alcohol in Native American societies began with English explorer Henry Hudson in the early 1600’s during the exploration of what is now considered the New York City metropolitan area. The brief encounter began as an attempt to thwart any possible mischievous plans of the Mohawk chief and continues to harm the Native American people (Morris 1880). As of 2010, the United States population contains 4.1 million individuals who identify themselves as having American Indian or Alaska Native heritage. Within this population, Native Americans are six times more likely to die from alcohol related causes, have a life expectancy rate six years lower than the national average, and report heavy alcohol use almost double the other ethnicities in America (American Psychiatric Association 2010). There is never a simple solution to the complex problem of alcohol within any ethnicity and this toxic relationship is ever present in many Native American communities. Both governmental agencies and non-for-profit organizations have attempted to establish policies to control and restrict alcohol use and end the cycle of alcohol abuse. Policies targeting a possible tax on alcohol, limited availability, and social factors have been proposed and implemented in order to curb alcohol use. One hypothesis stated that taxation or higher prices of alcohol