NCJ Number
169033
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 32 Issue: 7 & 8 Dated: special issue (June 1997) Pages: 829-848
Date Published
1997
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Projections indicate that, by the year 2000, over a million Cambodians, Laotians, and Vietnamese will be living in the United States, but minimal information is available on substance abuse by these groups due to the absence of national prevalence data.
Abstract
Combined stressors faced by Southeast Asian refugee groups put them at high risk for substance misuse. Further, Southeast Asians infrequently use substance treatment and mental health services due to perceived lack of need for these services. The use of drugs and alcohol for relief of physical pain or psychological problems appears to be common in the Southeast Asian community, and there is a gender gap relative to alcohol consumption. Few culturally appropriate treatment and intervention programs are available to deal with the increasing prevalence of substance misuse in these populations. Cultural factors that discourage or control substance use in the majority of Southeast Asians should be evaluated in light of improving intervention strategies. 64 references and 1 table