NCJ Number
159409
Date Published
1993
Length
112 pages
Annotation
Covering the 1985-1991 period, this survey investigated whether quantifiable differences in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) drug use could be measured for different ethnic groups and whether age-related patterns of ATOD use could be established for these groups.
Abstract
Findings revealed definite patterns of ATOD use that could be identified for different minority groups, and these patterns varied significantly for different prevalence periods. Examining prevalence rates for alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, all minority groups had prevalence rates at or below that of white youth for almost all prevalence periods. Black and Asian youth showed the lowest prevalence rates, compared to white youth, with as much as a 20-25 percent differential between them and white youth. Hispanic and American Indian youth appeared to have overall prevalence rates about the same as white youth. Similar patterns emerged for other illicit drugs, including cocaine, hallucinogens, and inhalants. Black and Asian youth showed substantially lower levels of use for most substances, while Hispanic and American Indian youth appeared to have prevalence levels near those of white youth. In general, black and Asian youth differed the most from white youth at mid-range prevalence periods (30 days to past year). Conversely, the smallest prevalence differences were found at daily, past week, and lifetime periods. Additional information on procedural aspects of the survey is appended. 19 references, 7 tables, and 50 figures