Latino middle-schoolers have higher rates of substance abuse, study finds

LOS ANGELES -- A survey of students at 16 California middle schools shows Latino 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 Latino 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 percent of the students said they had ever used alcohol, 10 percent said they had smoked at some point and 7 percent admitted to smoking marijuana. But Latino youths were more likely to have used these substances compared with other groups. Among Latino students, 26 percent had tried alcohol, 12 percent had smoked cigarettes and 9 percent used marijuana.

Asian students had the lowest rates of substance use (10 percent admitted to drinking alcohol) while white and African-American students' usage rates were similar.

Researchers found that Latino 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.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.