Introduction: This study examines race/ethnic differences in the prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) among adolescents who received services in at least one of 5 public sectors of care. Method: Participants included 963 adolescents ages 13-18 (M=15.93; SD=1.52) sampled from 5 public service sectors: Alcohol/Drug (AD) 13%, Mental Health (MH) 53%, School SED (SED) 22%, Juvenile Justice (JJ) 41%, and Child Welfare (CW) 18%. Two-thirds were male, 37% Caucasian, 31% Latino, 22% African-American, 10% Asian/Pacific-Islander. SUDs were determined by youth report on the CIDI-SAM. Logistic regressions controlling for age and gender were used to assess the likelihood of having a SUD for each ethnic group, relative to Caucasians. Results: In CW Latino youth were 3 times more likely to have a lifetime SUD and 3.5 times more likely to have a lifetime alcohol use disorder (p‘s<.05). In JJ non-Caucasians were generally less likely to have a SUD although the pattern varied by race/ethnicity. In MH, all ethnic groups were generally less likely to have a SUD, however Latino youth were 2.7 times more likely to have a stimulant use disorder. Implications: Patterns of SUDs among ethnic minority youth suggest important race related moderators of SUDs and service involvement. The increased risk of SUDs among Latino youth in CW and MH sectors raises concern. In order to decrease risk for SUDs, we need to understand risk and protective factors associated with initiation and progression of SUDs in specific ethnic groups and their relation to entry and utilization of public sector services.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will understand the distribution of substance use disorders across different race-ethnic groups and sectors of care. Participants will be able to identify issues important in service utilization patterns associated with racial and ethnic background and substance involvement among adolescents.
Keywords: Adolescents, Substance Abuse
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.