Review of national survey data reveals distinct substance use patterns across older racial minorities, highlighting the need for tailored interventions and targeted research.
Substance use and misuse among racial/ethnic subgroups remains a much understudied area. This article summarizes recent data from national surveys (SAMHSA) recording prevalence and treatment rates for major ethnic/racial subgroups. The authors point to a concern about the higher prevalence and treatment rates of alcohol among older American Indians and Alaskan Natives, but warn that more precise estimates must be obtained. They also address the finding that older African Americans have higher prevalence and rates of treatment admissions for certain illicit drugs such as cocaine. They highlight the unique concerns for older African Americans as the largest minority group within the U. S. Finally, a research agenda for the twenty-first century is suggested which will stress emphasis on continued, careful analysis of the life course of substance use among racial/ethnic subgroups.
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Gurnack et al. (2002) studied this question.
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