We Are
Over half of Alaska Native people report they do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco (Alaska Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014).
85% of Alaska Native and American Indians people don’t use illegal substances (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2015).
ANTHC launched the “We Are” media campaign, targeting Alaska Native and American Indian people age 11-25.
The campaign is based on social norms theory – that much of people’s behavior is influenced by their perceptions of what is “normal” or “typical.” The problem is that we often misperceive the typical behaviors or attitudes of our peers. We tend to overestimate the number of our peers who value and make unhealthy choices, and underestimate the number who value and make healthy choices. For example, if people believe that the majority of their friends are drinking alcohol and/or using drugs, then they are more likely to drink alcohol and/or use drugs.
However, a majority of Alaska Native people around the state don’t engage in unhealthy activities.
Using positive social norms, our goal is to change the conversation about healthy behavior among Alaska Native people by highlighting the actual healthy behavior alternatives that Alaska Native people choose to engage in.
We will be working to close the gap between what Alaska Native people believe their peers are doing and what their peers are actually doing in order to reduce tobacco and illegal substance use.
Substance abuse and tobacco addiction can be challenging, but you’re not alone. There are resources and people in your community who can help.
Tobacco Resources | Substance Abuse Residential | Substance Abuse Outpatient | Social Support Groups
Tobacco Resources
Substance Abuse Residential
Substance Abuse Outpatient
Social Support Groups
| Community | Organization | Phone Number |
| Anchorage | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6329 |
| Anchorage | Narcotic Drug Treatment Center | (907) 276-6430 |
| Anchorage | Recovery Alaska | (907) 333-6535 |
| Anchorage | Southcentral Foundation Alaska Women’s Recovery Project | (907) 729-5190 |
| Anchorage | Southcentral Foundation Four Directions Outpatient | (907) 729-6300 |
| Cordova | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6332 |
| Fairbanks | Alaska NA Meetings | (907) 451-9650 |
| Fairbanks | No Limits, Inc. | (907) 384-3834 |
| JBER | ASAP Counseling Center | 1-(866) 258-6333 |
| Juneau | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6334 |
| Kenai | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6335 |
| Ketchikan | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6336 |
| Kodiak | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6337 |
| Palmer | Alaska NA Meetings | (907) 373-4732 |
| Palmer | Set Free Alaska, Inc. | 1-(866) 258-6338 |
| Seward | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6339 |
| Sitka | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6340 |
| Valdez | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6341 |
| Wasilla | Alaska NA Meetings | 1-(866) 258-6342 |
| Wrangell | Alaska NA Meetings | (907) 276-6430 |
| Statewide | SAMHSA 24/7 Treatment Referral Line | 1 (800) 662-HELP |
Campaign references:
Risk Factors-Tobacco: Current Alaska Native Smoker or Smokeless Tobacco User. (2014). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2015). Behavioral health trends in the United States: Results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. SMA 15-4927, NSDUH Series H-50).