Nonmedical prescription drug use among Hispanics

    Authors

    J. A. Ford;F. I. Rivera

    Comments

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    Abstract

    Past research shows distinct racial/ethnic differences in substance use. Given the changing racial/ethnic composition of the United States, continued research in this area is important This is especially true for Hispanics, the fastest growing and largest minority group in the United States. One area of particular importance is nonmedical prescription drug use. The rate of nonmedical prescription drug use has increased substantially in recent years, and current research shows that the prevalence of nonmedical prescription drug use is now greater than the prevalence of the use of illicit drugs other than marijuana. With an emphasis on Hispanics, the current study examines racial/ethnic variation in nonmedical prescription drug use using a large, national sample of adolescents and young adults. Findings indicate that Hispanics are less likely to report nonmedical prescription drug use than Whites, but more likely to report use than Blacks and Asians. Additional analyses, conducted using Hispanic respondents only, indicate that acculturation is significantly associated with nonmedical prescription drug use.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Drug Issues

    Volume

    38

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2008

    Document Type

    Article

    First Page

    285

    Last Page

    310

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000255111200014

    ISSN

    0022-0426

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