ABSTRACT
In this article the authors conducted a critical review of ongoing and recently completed drug abuse studies which have examined the importance of social support systems in the drug-using behavior of Hispanics. Published and unpublished preliminary data from these studies are presented and discussed. This critical review of the research literature supports earlier findings that social support systems play an important role in preventing drug abuse among Hispanics. Specifically, this review found that familial factors, peer influences, involvement with religious institutions, and after-school activities have a powerful impact on the drug-using behaviors of Hispanic child, youth and adult drug users. The authors suggest that drug prevention and treatment programs within Hispanic communities will be more successful if they incorporate social support systems into their programs. In conclusion, the authors identify areas in which the role of social support systems in the drug-using behavior of Hispanics need further investigation.
Subject(s)
Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Social Support , Substance-Related Disorders/ethnology , Family/ethnology , Family/psychology , Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Peer Group , Religion , Substance Abuse Treatment Centers/methods , Substance-Related Disorders/prevention & control , Substance-Related Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
Correlates of crack cocaine use were studied among a targeted sample of migrant workers and their sexual partners (n = 571) in rural Southern Florida. Employment among men and recent drug-user treatment among men and women are positively related to crack use, as is involvement in crime and prostitution. Among women but not men, living with children is negatively related to crack use. Drug use and HIV prevention programs should intervene with individuals and their families and social groups. Migrant workers and their sexual partners also need effective drug-user treatment with long-term relapse prevention services.
Subject(s)
Agriculture/statistics & numerical data , Cocaine-Related Disorders , Crack Cocaine , Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data , Social Support , Transients and Migrants , Adult , Aged , Cocaine-Related Disorders/economics , Cocaine-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Cocaine-Related Disorders/psychology , Cocaine-Related Disorders/therapy , Community-Institutional Relations , Crime/economics , Crime/statistics & numerical data , Family Characteristics , Female , Florida/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Regression Analysis , Risk Factors , Risk-Taking , Rural Health/statistics & numerical data , Sampling Studies , Sex Work/statistics & numerical data , Sexual Partners , Social Conditions , Transients and Migrants/psychology , Transients and Migrants/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
This manuscript presents a comprehensive assessment of the current illegal drug use problem among Hispanics by analyzing the recent findings on this subject. Information is provided on the prevalence of illegal drug use by drug type, age, and specific Hispanic group, and on the accessibility and availability of drug treatment facilities to Hispanics. The consequences of illegal drug use upon the well-being of Hispanics are discussed. Recommendations on additional research are made.