NCJ Number
195609
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: 2002 Pages: 55-71
Date Published
2002
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This paper summarizes recent data from national surveys regarding drug prevalence and treatment rates for major ethnic/racial subgroups.
Abstract
The National Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) is the primary source of information on the prevalence of substance use in the United States. This survey has been conducted periodically since 1971. The sample surveyed for the 1991-93 period, which is reported in this paper, was 87,000. The special survey of racial/ethnic groups distinguished 11 sub-groups: Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, non-Hispanic Blacks, non-Hispanic whites, and 7 subgroups of Hispanics defined by national or geographical self-identification. The findings reported in this paper refer to "past year" drug use. Drug use pertained to cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and illicit drugs in general. The survey findings suggest that Native Americans, certain subgroups of Hispanics (Puerto Ricans and Mexicans), and non-Hispanic Blacks may be more in need of treatment, since they had higher prevalence rates for the misuse of illicit drugs; however, regarding the treatment of alcohol abuse, the subgroups most in need of treatment are Native Americans, South Americans, and non-Hispanic whites. These are the groups identified as having a higher prevalence of the misuse of this substance. At the request of the authors, a special analysis of the data was conducted for respondents over the age of 55. Older African Americans had higher prevalence and rates of treatment admissions for certain illicit drugs such as cocaine. The study recommends the inclusion in national surveys of regular analyses of the use of substances by minority older adults, detailed analyses of substance abuse in ethnic subgroups, analysis of differences in the use of individual drugs in ethnic subgroups, the identification of cultural factors that may shape drug use among various racial/ethnic subgroups, and an analysis of various socioeconomic variables that may impact substance use by racial/ethnic groups. 1 table, 1 figure, and 26 references