Culturally Sensitive Support for East African Women Facing Substance Abuse
The Alliance Wellness Center has opened a groundbreaking facility in St. Paul to address the unique needs of young East African women battling drug addiction. Yussuf Shafie, the founder, stressed the importance of culturally competent and trauma-informed professionals to assist these women, who often grapple with stigma, social isolation, and family neglect.
Empowering Recovery with Specialized Care
The residential facility, designed for up to eight individuals, focuses on tailored programs such as gender-specific group therapy, individual therapy, medication-assisted treatment, culturally appropriate counseling, and halal meals. The goal is to guide women through substance use disorder recovery and prepare them for successful reintegration into society.
Breaking Cultural Barriers
Shafie emphasized the necessity for a women-only treatment facility due to cultural differences in how Somali society views young women seeking help for substance abuse. The facility provides a safe space where women can receive individualized and group therapy programs, addressing the origins of their drug problems and exploring pathways to quit.
Addressing Minnesota’s Overdose Crisis
With Minnesota facing a record number of overdose deaths in 2021, totaling 1,286 individuals, there is an urgent need for expanded support. More than 8 percent of the adult population in Minnesota struggles with substance use disorder, yet only 10 percent receive the necessary assistance. The overdose crisis disproportionately affects BIPOC communities, with a 44 percent and 39 percent surge in overdose deaths among non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native individuals between 2019 and 2020.
Alliance Wellness Center’s Commitment to Cultural Sensitivity
Alliance Wellness Center, based in Bloomington, has been at the forefront of providing multicultural services. Founded by Shafie, a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, the center aims to offer culturally appropriate treatment for East African immigrants. The center provides both inpatient and outpatient services and has successfully helped many youths recover from chemical dependency.
Community Voices and Advocacy for Change
Sahra Hassan, a community activist, highlighted the vulnerability of young women with substance abuse problems, often abandoned by their families. She urged for support and emphasized the importance of keeping troubled young women at home instead of abandoning them.
Deeqa Hussein, another community activist, expressed concern about the challenges faced by young East African women on the streets of Minneapolis. Despite the difficulties, she believes in the potential for recovery for everyone, sharing the story of Abdirahman Warsame, a former drug addict turned advocate.
Abdirahman Warsame, now 25, advocates for eliminating the shame culture surrounding addiction. His poem, “From Addict to Advocate,” and the nonprofit organization he co-founded, Generation Hope, aim to destigmatize substance abuse within the East African community.
