Supplements knowledge about the causes and prevention of drug abuse in racial and ethnic populations. Based on a conference of leading prevention experts, researchers, community leaders, policy makers, and other professionals working with minority youth, the book addresses: (1) ethnicity, ethnic identity, and cultural identity and their implications for drug abuse research and abuse prevention programs; (2) considerations and challenges in conducting research in ethnic minority communities; (3) racial and ethnic differences in adolescent drug use; (4) risk and protective factors in drug use by minority adolescents; (5) drug abuse prevention in school settings; (6) community support and collaboration; (7) adaptation of methodologies used in research with multiethnic communities; (8) effective interventions for multiethnic, homeless youth; (9) ways to strengthen families to prevent drug use; and (10) substance abuse prevention programs aimed at youth from specific populations, such as Puerto Rican, Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander, with information about prevalence rates, prevention models, and cultural factors. Those working to prevent drug abuse among multiethnic youth are cautioned to avoid ethnic glosses; that is, not to make assumptions or draw conclusions about individuals based on their ethnic group status without considering differences in their sense of ethnic identity.
