Introduction

Abstract

Epidemiological data indicates that ethnic minority children have lower rates of substance use in comparison to non-minority children (Wallace and Muroff 2002; Wallace et al. 1991, 2002, 2003, 2009; Galea et al. 2004; Delva et al. 2005; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2009; Belgrave et al. 2009). Research has shown African American and Hispanic youth have different pathways or trajectories of drug use compared with white youth, from initiation to development of problem use. Relative to white youth, Research has consistently found that relative to white youth, African-American youth are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs as adolescents, begin using in early adulthood, and are more likely to become problem users. In fact, as African Americans move into young adulthood and beyond, drug use appears to increase until it is higher than that found for any other ethnic group (Biafora and Zimmerman 1998; DHHS 2003). Research also indicates that Hispanic youth have the highest rates.