NCJ Number
204390
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: 2003 Pages: 83-103
Date Published
2003
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examined substance use and attempts to reduce or quit substance use among a sample of Asian-American, Latino, and White high-school students in San Diego County, CA.
Abstract
The study sample (n=3,756 9th-12th-grade students) was drawn from an initial pool of 4,312 students to represent the 3 most common race/ethnic groups at the schools. The ethnic composition of the sample was 79.2 percent White, 12.4 percent Latino, and 8.4 percent Asian-American. The study assessed both lifetime and past-month use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and other illicit drugs. Alcohol, cigarette, and other drug cessation efforts were assessed with two items for each substance to address efforts during the last year. Fewer Asian-American students reported lifetime use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and other drugs than Latinos or Whites. Latinos and Whites did not differ significantly in their lifetime use of alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs; however, significantly more Whites than Latinos reported marijuana use. More Whites reported current alcohol use than Asian-Americans or Latinos, and fewer Asian-Americans than Latinos reported alcohol use. Also, fewer Asian-American students reported binge drinking in the past month than Latino or White students. Although Latino youths reported lower or comparable rates of alcohol use compared to Whites, they experienced more legal consequences related to alcohol use. This is a significant finding, given that Latinos and Whites reported similar rates of drunk driving and riding with a drinker. A higher percentage of Latino students reported attempts to limit alcohol use than Asian-Americans or Whites. Latinos were marginally more likely than Whites to attempt to limit their drug use. Asian-American and White students did not differ in attempts to cut down drug use. Comparable rates of attempts to cut down on or quit cigarette use were noted across the three groups. Attempts to quit alcohol use were similar to those found for attempts to cut down on use. Adolescents who experienced negative alcohol-related consequences were more apt to attempt to change their substance use than students who reported no consequences; however, few race/ethnic differences were identified regarding preferred strategies for restricting or ceasing substance use. Implications for adolescent substance-use interventions are discussed. 3 tables and 49 references