NCJ Number
220043
Date Published
September 2007
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Drawing on data from 2005 and 2006, this report examines drug use among Hispanic 8th, 10th, and 12th graders.
Abstract
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug among Hispanic teens. Nearly 1 in 10 Hispanic eighth graders (8 percent) reported current use of marijuana. The rates for current marijuana use among Hispanic 10th and 12th graders are 14 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Hispanic teens are turning to cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine more than White or African-American teens. Hispanic youth in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades outpace African-American and White teens in current, annual, and lifetime use of these drugs. The use of cocaine and heroin is higher among Hispanic students in all grades compared to that of other students. Teen use of prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse is an emerging problem. These medications are used to get high. Hispanic teens are at risk of participating in this trend. Hispanic youth cite "upsetting their parents" as the main reason not to do drugs. Although Hispanic parents emphasize the importance of education for their children, drug use is a barrier to educational achievement. Adoption of American cultural values and lifestyle (acculturation) increases the risk of drug use by Hispanics; acculturated Hispanics are nearly 13 times more likely to report using illegal drugs compared to nonacculturated Hispanics. 1 figure and 18 notes