Issues of Ethnicity in Research on the Prevention of Substance Abuse (From Drug Abuse Prevention With Multiethnic Youth, P 28-45, 1995, Gilbert J. Botvin et al, eds. - See NCJ 159983)

• NCJ Number: 159984
• Author(s): R L Collins
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This analysis of research on non-European ethnic groups living in the United States focuses on ethnicity as a sociocultural factor in drug abuse research, research on drug abuse prevention, socioeconomic variables in this research, and recommendations for future research.

Abstract

The analysis reveals the conceptual and methodological progress in this area has been limited. Therefore, tremendous opportunities exist to advance knowledge on a wide variety of topics. To develop effective strategies, prevention research must begin to recognize the complexity of ethnicity as well as the interaction of individual and environmental factors in determining drug use. These areas of complexity may require that prevention researchers become more involved in policy debates and community outreach and organization. These issues are particularly important given the current mandate to include women and minorities in federally funded research. Research that conforms to the words of the Federal guidelines by relying on ethnic glosses or gender-based stereotypes will not add to knowledge; the impacts of sociocultural and demographic characteristics must be considered as well. 58 references