The Canadian Incidence Study on Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (Trocme, 2001) found that structural factors such as poverty, poor housing and substance misuse contribute to the over-representation of First Nations children in child welfare care and yet there is very little information on the experiences of First Nations and Non-Aboriginal children after they are placed in care. The When Everything Matters study tracks First Nations and Non-Aboriginal chlidren removed from their families between 2003-2005 in Nova Scotia to the time of reunification or to the time of data collection if the child remained in care. The characteristics of children and their families are compared to the primary aims of child welfare services provided to children and their families. Results indicate that poor families living in poor housing are graphically over-represented among all families who have their children removed. Poverty-related services were not provided to families in proportion to its occurrence. Caregiver incapacity related to substance misuse was most often cited as the primary reason for removal and although substance misuse services were provided there is a need for further child welfare training, policy and services in this area given the scope of the problem presenting in both First Nations and Non-Aboriginal families. Study findings are nested in a new bi-cultural theoretical framework founded in First Nations ontology and physic's theory of everything called the breath of life theory. Implications for theoretical development as well as child welfare research, policy and practice are discussed.

The Canadian Incidence Study on Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (Trocme, 2001) found that structural factors such as poverty, poor housing and substance misuse contribute to the over-representation of First Nations children in child welfare care and yet there is very little information on the experiences of First Nations and Non-Aboriginal children after they are placed in care. The When Everything Matters study tracks First Nations and Non-Aboriginal chlidren removed from their families between 2003-2005 in Nova Scotia to the time of reunification or to the time of data collection if the child remained in care. The characteristics of children and their families are compared to the primary aims of child welfare services provided to children and their families. Results indicate that poor families living in poor housing are graphically over-represented among all families who have their children removed. Poverty-related services were not provided to families in proportion to its occurrence. Caregiver incapacity related to substance misuse was most often cited as the primary reason for removal and although substance misuse services were provided there is a need for further child welfare training, policy and services in this area given the scope of the problem presenting in both First Nations and Non-Aboriginal families. Study findings are nested in a new bi-cultural theoretical framework founded in First Nations ontology and physic's theory of everything called the breath of life theory. Implications for theoretical development as well as child welfare research, policy and practice are discussed.

The aim of the thesis is to understand how professionals within different needle exchange programs in Sweden describe the surroundings impact of the contact with patients. Further the aim is to understand how the professionals work with their treatment towards the patients within the clinic due to the impact of the surroundings. The method used is a qualitative method, specifically semi-structured interviews with a various group of six informants. The selections are professionals with different professions who have worked within the needle exchange program, chosen by a targeted selection method. With a semi- structured method, the intention is to capture a secondhand view of patients experiences within the healthcare system in general but also within the needle exchange program.  The results are analyzed with previous research and social science theories based on stigma, labeling and systems. Findings show that patients' experiences are influenced by the surroundings such as social and structural perceptions and attitudes. The society's resistance against the needle exchange program affects the trust against authorities such as social services, police and health care systems. Previous wrong experience with different authorities, more specific healthcare does affect the target group to search for help. Other parts that the results show is internalized stigma within the group of people who inject drugs, either by the individual themselves or by others who consume drugs. The results create an insight on how injecting drugs while being a parent or a woman may involve an additional vulnerability. The thesis shows that professionals that work at the needle exchange program consider the structural impact of their patients while encountering them. Finally, the discussion indicates that the workers accepting, and welcoming approach does help the patients to seek help and to evolve trust. By considering a holistic perspective of the patients and working with harm reduction the professionals do create a neutral environment without the risk of getting stigmatized.