SPR's Doug Nadvornick reports. Washington State University College of Medicine Associate Research Professor Kate Hirchak and her colleagues are asking this question: Which incentives motivate American Indian and Alaska Native people with severe alcohol addictions to stop drinking, at least for a few days? To find out, her research team has been coordinating with representatives who counsel people with addictions in three Native communities. They’re in the Northwest, Alaska and the Northern Plains. Twice a week, study volunteers visit their counselors and bring urine samples.
“They’d be able to draw for prizes during the visit if their urine sample was negative," she said.