NCJ Number
212795
Editor(s)
Melvin Delgado Ph.D.
Date Published
2005
Length
237 pages
Annotation
Twelve papers discuss factors related to Latino alcohol use/abuse in the United States and their implications for prevention and treatment strategies.
Abstract
This book offers recommendations which pertained to the provision of culturally relevant prevention and treatment services based in research, drug treatment in correctional settings, and the use of family and community support systems in prevention and treatment strategies. Two papers discuss the conditions under which Latinos live in America and how these conditions impact their alcohol use/abuse. The introductory paper notes that Latinos are less likely than non-Latinos to report excessive alcohol use; however, in 2000, 31 percent of 12th-grade Latino youth reported heavy drinking. The second paper addresses socio-demographic trends among Latinos in America in the 21st century and their implications for alcohol-related services to this population. Issues discussed are their legal status, family composition, assimilation into American society, age groupings, education, and economic and social conditions. The paper advises that Latino alcohol-use patterns must be examined according to their national identities. Nine papers discuss alcohol-abuse prevention and treatment for Latinos. These papers focus on patterns of need and treatment among Mexican-origin adults; alcohol use among Dominican-Americans; the onset of alcohol and other drug use among Latino gang members; alcohol and other drug abuse among incarcerated Latino women; rural Latino grandparents raising grandchildren of substance-abusing parents; and alcohol use among adult Puerto Rican injection drug users. Other topics covered in this section are the use of "circles of care" for substance-abusing Latino juvenile offenders, substance-abuse prevention for high-risk Latino youth, and substance-abuse services provided by Puerto Rican Pentecostal churches in Massachusetts. The final paper provides an overview of the themes of this volume and offers prevention and treatment recommendations. Chapter references and a subject index