Chicano Drug Abuse Patterns: Using Archival Data to Test Hypotheses

Abstract

The importance of cultural factors in models of Chicano drug use is reviewed. Prior research indicated that heroin and inhalants were particularly problematic among Chicanos, but these findings were limited by reactive methods of data collection. In the present work, archival data were used to examine two hypotheses based on previous work. California drug treatment records were studied to confirm the disproportionate use of heroin and inhalants by Chicanos. It was also found that phencyclidine was disproportionately used by Chicanos. Results are discussed with respect to the need for culturally relevant drug abuse treatment and prevention.