Native Americans and Alaska Natives have significantly higher rates of drug abuse and addiction than other races, an an issue which must be addressed for these cultures to survive. Although the reasons may differ from person to person, the majority of of the reasons for the higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse among Native American and Alaska Natives have to do with their culture. First of all, Native American and Alaska Native adolescents appear to have some of the highest rates of drug and alcohol abuse in the country. The most obvious barriers to helping Native Americans and Alaska Natives for drug and alcohol addiction are cultural ones and their language. This is why it is crucial that Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Beaver Island obtain substance abuse treatment in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center that is understanding of their culture, and more importantly in a drug rehab that understand the need to supply drug treatment in their native tongue.