This section was co-written with Asian Family Services in 2023.
It was informed by a workshop involving people who use drugs, their families, and health staff.
Asian is a very diverse grouping, comprised of many different countries and cultures. Many straddle different cultural expectations from their life in Aotearoa and those of family who live overseas in countries with different approaches to substances. This can change across generations, and children born in Aotearoa may have different perspectives than their parents. Sometimes, parents try to raise their children with extremely strict adherence to cultural traditions out of fear that they might be judged by family members for not passing on cultural values and practices.
Some Asian communities are perceived to have come to Aotearoa with a lot of money and no problems. This perception can lead to people hiding issues and not feeling confident to access information or support. Drug laws in Aotearoa have also targeted Chinese populations – the Opium Prohibition Act of 1901 specified that a “search warrant shall not be required in the case of any entry on premises occupied by Chinese.”
Key considerations:
- People may feel pressured to act according to hierarchy. For example, if an older family member or manager at work offers a person alcohol, they may feel obligated to drink it. Hierarchy and roles often have a high importance in Asian cultures.
- Social customs can differ. Sharing alcohol can be considered a sign of prosperity and generosity. Use of some stimulant substances is sometimes viewed as ways to work or study for long hours.
- While social use of some substances may be seen as socially acceptable, use that is considered excessive or problematic is heavily stigmatised. The distinction between the two and what is ok to talk about or not can be very marked.
- There may be different gender expectations. Males may be expected to drink alcohol in social situations where risk taking is seen as a sign of bravery and courage, whereas it may be frowned on for some females.
- Issues within a family are not commonly spoken about openly, to avoid bringing shame or serious consequences on the family. This can also mean that some family members may avoid issues or pretend they do not exist. Some families feel like they need to either take full responsibility for a situation or reject responsibility for it. Sometimes families encourage their family member not to talk to others to get information or support. This can mean that people may feel nervous looking for information or support.
- It takes time to build trust in services, particularly for topics that are seen as culturally taboo. Services should plan for the extra time and effort that it takes to build trust. The trust and relationship building that allows for meaningful conversations is an essential component of service development, even if the actual service delivery is short and simple.
- Efforts to reduce stigma, judgement, and shame need to involve Asian communities and places where people congregate, such as community and religious centres. Ongoing efforts are required, as some immigrants will have come from countries where there are harsh penalties for substance use.
- Help people to access information and support by being clear that people can access those without police or immigration services being informed. Some people are reluctant to talk to services because they are scared that others will know, and they will face serious consequences such as criminal charges or being deported. People on student exchanges can also be worried that their educational facility or home stay will be informed, which could mean they are removed from their exchange.
- Communities will need help to understand what support is available and that a core principle of Aotearoa’s approach is harm reduction – meeting people where they are at and figuring out what information and support could help them reduce the risk of health, social or legal harms with no expectation of stopping or reducing their substance use. This may be a new concept for them.
- Many people have daily experiences where cultural values clash, and how they choose to handle those situations can differ. There is nuance to this. Aim to have no assumptions. Even if people have approached a situation in one way in the past does not mean they will approach it the same way in the future.