Māori whānau mental health and addiction journeys

Intern

Eileen Wolland, Massey University

Supervisor

Dr Erena Wikaire, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Overview

Māori whānau and communities have been heavily impacted by cannabis and methamphetamine. Despite longstanding calls for drug use and addiction to be treated as health concerns, these issues have continued to be addressed primarily through the criminal justice system. This approach has not worked for Māori, and Māori have rarely been asked to share our stories or offer our own solutions. This project analysed interview data from Māori whānau and key stakeholders about their journeys with cannabis and methamphetamine, exploring what has worked — and what has not — for Māori.