Alcohol Abuse among Indigenous People in Brazil: A Comparative Evaluation
Alcoholism is recognized as a major health problem among the native populations of Brazil and is associated with high rates of violence and suicide. However, only recently have the governmental agencies concerned with Indian Health begun to support research and programs for control and prevention. In reality, very little is known about drinking behavior among the Indians beyond certain stereotypes or use of a biomedical diagnosis. A review of comparative data about alcohol and other substance abuse in other parts of the world is made in order to argue that social environment may be more useful for understanding the problem than universal biomedical criteria. Based on this data, as well as the little that is known about contemporary drinking habits among the Brazilian Indians, the paper questions the utility of the label “alcoholism” for the development of prevention programs among Indian populations. The problems resulting from abuse of alcohol can only be understood and successfully addressed by critically examining the marginal position that the Indian in the Brazilian society.