Meth use is on the rise among members of the California Latino population, who now constitute one third of publicly funded substance abuse treatment admissions in the state. However, culturally appropriate treatment services geared to Latinos are lacking.
The changing face of meth addiction is catching service agencies unaware. As a result, culturally appropriate resources and treatment are inadequate, especially for Latinos who speak only Spanish and those who are less acculturated and have less formal education.
- In 2003, 8 percent to 10 percent of Latino youth in California reported that they had tried meth.
- In 2000, the percentage of Latina women arrestees in California testing positive for meth ranged from 21 percent to 39 percent.
- The percentage of Latino male arrestees in Santa Clara County testing positive for meth rose from 30 percent in 2000 to 38 percent in 2002.
- Gay male Latinos are particularly at risk for meth addiction because of the high level of meth use in the gay community.
- Treatment admission data for 2005 in Los Angeles County showed that almost 80 percent of the 18- to 25-year old Latina clients were admitted with meth as their primary drug.
Since a very substantial and increasing proportion of the meth addicted individuals seeking treatment in California are Latino, methamphetamine treatment practitioners need to know the key to prevention in the Latino population, in-depth knowledge and understanding of Latino cultures and the role of acculturation. Appropriate strategies for prevention and early intervention programs include understanding the factors inhibiting and facilitating drug use, and cultural constraints on acknowledgment of drug use and dependence.
| Next > |
|---|