Hispanic Adolescents and Substance Abuse:

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide an understanding of the present state of knowledge about the probIem of substance abuse among Hispanic youth and to identify issues with which researchers, clinicians, administrators, and policy makers will have to deal in the coming decade. To do so, it will focus on five major areas: (1) the limitations of drug-related statistics; (2) demographic characteristics of Hispanics in the United States; (3) a review of the literature on Hispanic adolescent substance abuse; (4) factors inhibiting a comprehensive analysis of the problem, its treatment, and appropriate polic~es; and (5) issues for the 1980s.

Culturally Competent Substance Abuse Treatment with Latinos

“…For example, ten years ago Latina adolescents were using drugs at a level lower than males (Human and Delgado, 1983). However, recent research has found that adolescent Latinas now use drugs at the same levels as males (ONDCP Report, 1997, Nuestra Juventud Project, 1998.…”