Hispanic middle-schoolers have higher rates of substance use
A survey of students at 16 California middle schools shows Hispanic kids are more likely to smoke, drink or use marijuana than their peers in other ethnic or racial groups. In probing for the reasons for substance use, researchers found that Hispanic youths may lack confidence in their ability to say “no” to peers.
The study, conducted by Regina A. Shih and her colleagues at Rand Corp., was comprised of 5,500 seventh- and eighth-grade students who were surveyed about their drug use and factors influencing drug use. Overall, 22% of the students said they had ever used alcohol, 10% said they had smoked at some point and 7% admitted to smoking marijuana. But Hispanic youths were more likely to have used these substances compared with other groups. Among Hispanic students, 26% had tried alcohol, 12% had smoked cigarettes and 9% used marijuana.
Asian students had the lowest rates of substance use (10% admitted to drinking alcohol) while white and African American students’ usage rates were similar.
Researchers found that Hispanic youths seemed reticent to refuse their peers’ urgings to use drugs. They also were less likely to believe that drinking, smoking and using marijuana were harmful. In contrast, Asian students’ choices were influenced to avoid substance use because of respect for their parents and lower rates of substance use among their older siblings and peers.
Few anti-substance use programs for kids focus on ethnic or cultural factors, the authors note. Programs geared to the middle-school age group and unique cultural experiences may be more successful.
Moreover, “It is important for parents to be aware that many youth initiate substance use during middle school years, and parents can help their teen make healthier choices by monitoring their activities and talking with them about these issues,” Shih said in a news release.
The study was published Wednesday in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
-- Shari Roan
Return to Booster Shots blog.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
