NCJ Number
145370
Editor(s)
M R De La Rosa,
J-L R Adrados
Date Published
1993
Length
353 pages
Annotation
Papers compiled in this monograph attempt to document patterns, causes, and consequences of drug abuse by minority youth that may be culturally relevant in drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.
Abstract
Limited research to date indicates that cultural influences, unique economic situations, and formal and informal social networks may cause the drug-using behavior of minority youth to vary significantly from that of nonminority youth. There is an urgent need for etiological research to investigate interactive effects of intrapersonal, interpersonal, familial, cultural, and other social factors on drug use by minorities. The monograph addresses theoretical and methodological issues associated with drug use by minority youth and proposes directions for further research. Theoretical issue papers specifically focus on integrating mainstream and subcultural explanations of drug use, links between cultural identification and drug use, acculturation, interaction theory, network theory, and conceptual models for understanding drug use behavior. In considering methodological issues associated with drug use by Hispanic, African American, and American Indian minority youth, the monograph looks at acculturation strain theory, the validity of self-reported drug use by students, the link between school dropouts and drug use, drug use by ethnic gangs, drug addicts, drug use by elementary school children, the role of school and community politics in drug use by minority youth, and substance use disorders among young minority refugees. References, tables, and figures