NCJ Number
221459
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 75-95
Date Published
2007
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The objective of this study was to examine racial/ethnic and gender differences in the prevalence of drug use and abuse among undergraduate college students.
Abstract
The study found higher rates of drug use and drug use related problems among Hispanic and White students relative to their African-American and Asian college peers. The highest rates of drug use and drug use related problems were generally among Hispanic students. The results support earlier research that found Hispanic college students have higher rates of marijuana use as compared to Asian and African-American college students. Despite discussed study limitations, the study provides strong evidence from one university that Hispanic and White undergraduate students were at risk for drug use and abuse. In addition, male students were generally more likely to report drug use and abuse than female students. According to national epidemiological studies, the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs has increased significantly among college students in the United States over the past decade. Utilizing a sample consisting of 4,580 undergraduate students from a midwestern research university, this study examined race/ethnicity and gender differences in drug use and abuse for substances other than alcohol among college students. A Web-based questionnaire was completed which included demographic information and several substance use measures. Tables and references