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Drug Treatment & Ethnicity — Update

A collection of links to online resources on substance abuse
and treatment among ethnic minority and migrant populations

***NEW***11/14/2006 — Great Britain: Centre for Ethnicity and Health
The University of Central Lancashire's Centre for Ethnicity and Health has published a wide range of studies on drug ans social services and minorities. It is the Center's goal to "provide strategic guidance, intelligence and evaluation concerning healthcare provision to disadvantaged communities and the most effective means of delivering high quality services. Furthermore, there is a lack of investment in the social infrastructure and capacity building of the kind that would enable such communities to begin to address the wide range of problems they face themselves."
>>> access studies

05/23/2006 — Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Vol. 5, No. 1
The latest issue (No. 1/2006) of the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, edited by Peter L. Myers, is featuring the following articles:
*The Role of African-American Clergy in Providing Informal Services to Drug Users in the Rural South. Preliminary Ethnographic Findings. >>> Abstract
*The Impact of Pressure on Drug Treatment for Addicted Foreigners Facing Deportation in Germany. >>> Abstract
*** The Role of Parenting in Drug Use Among Black, Latino and White Adolescents. >>> Abstract
*Lessons Learned from Taking Data Collection to the "Hood". >>> Abstract
*Substance Use in Ethnic Minority Youth. >>> Abstract
*Drug Abuse, Risks of Infectious Diseases and Service Utilization Among Former Soviet Union Immigrants A View from New York City. >>> Abstract

03/14/2006 — Great Britain: "Race" Equality in Drug Services
The British "race relations"-approach emphazises equalizing and ethnically conscious, anti-discriminatory measures in the delivery of public services. A substancial report by Manchester's "Drug and Alcohol Action Team" describes efforts and progress in this english metropolis.
>>> Download Report (PDF)

02/27/2006 — European Network Social Inclusion & Health ("CORRELATION")
In 2005, a European Network on Social Inclusion and Health started its activities in order to implement its first 3-year-working plan until May 2008. More than 60 partners (NGOs, GOs, grassroots organizations, IPOs) bring together various experiences: services for drug users, sex workers, youngsters and other marginalized groups, user and sex worker unions, medical services, peer projects, projects fpr advocacy, research institutes and transnational organizations and bodies. The Correlation Network links different initiatives by focusing on the overriding elements marginalization and exclusion.
>>> More

04/16/2005 — United States: What role for Ethnicity in faith-based substance-abuse treatment?
Funded by NIDA and carried out under the auspices of the Addiction Research Institute at the University of Texas at Austin (School of Social Work), a pilot project involves building collaborative research partnerships with 7 faith-based programs selected to represent a range of spiritual orientations, including licensed and unlicensed programs. It is to contribute to evidence regarding the efficacy of explicitly spiritual interventions in drug treatment.
>>> More

04/07/2005 — Belgium: Cultural responsiveness in substance-abuse treatment
A qualitative study using professionals’ and clients’ perspectives provides further evidence, that an integrated treatment approach is of crucial importance when dealing with the needs of an ever-growing ethnically and culturally diverse substanceabusing
client-community in european metropolitan areas. The results from the study carried out in treatment services in the region of Ghent/Belgium by a study group from Ghent University's Department of Orthopedagogics has been published in Vol. 12 of the International Journal of Social Welfare (2003, pp. 221-228)
>>> Journal's Website

12/21/2004 — Ireland: How are Drugs being used among new communities in the country?
A recent exploratory study examines the patterns of drug use among new communities. Published by the Irish National Advisory Committee on Drugs, the study explores the reasons and motivations for drug use. It establishes risks the users may be exposed to; examines the level of awareness of health promotion / harm minimisation strategies and drug treatment services; and identifies barriers to accessing services. The Report includes a series of recommendations to assist drug services in responding to the needs of drug users from new communities. In particular, the Report recommends the need to provide accessible and culturally appropriate services.
>>> More >>> Download PDF

10/30/2004 — Australia: Multifold resources and information
The following link-list features links to resources, federal agencies and other organisations dealing with aspects of drugs, drug treatment, and ethnicity
>>> General Infos: Australian Drug Information Network
>>> Public Service: Center for Culture, Ethnicity and Health
>>> Alcohol and other drug services in Australia: Australian Drug information Network
>>> Multicultural drug services in Australia: Australian Drug information Network
>>> Information on Indigenous and other cultures by the Australian Drug Foundation: DrugInfo Clearinghouse
>>> The Australian The Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre: DAMEC
>>> Interest Representation of the alcohol and other drugs sector: Alcohol and other drugs Council of Australia
>>> Network in New South Wales: Network of alcohol and other drug agencies
>>> Family project of the Damien Trimingham Foundation: Family Drug Support

10/25/2004 — United States: Concept of Multiculturalism seems at Least as Effective as Cultural Specificity in Test of Prevention Program Research Findings
A multicultural version of a substance use prevention program tested in middle schools in Phoenix, Arizona, proved at least as effective as culturally targeted versions, according to recent research at Pennsylvania State University and Arizona State University.
>>> More

10/08/2004 — Drugs and Services in Great Britain: Situation of Black and minority ethnic communities
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA; a state institution to increase the availability, capacity and effectiveness of treatment for drug misuse in England) has recently published a report on Black and minority ethnic communities in England. It reviews the literature on drug use and related service provision across the country. The first part of the report deals with prevalence and prevalence rates, whereas the second part tries to identify patterns of drug use among minority ethnic communities. The third part (chapters 4, 5 and 6) focusses on issues of awareness in the communities and the appropriate design of services. The report can be read here.

9/27/2004 — Dealing with Mobility and Drug Use (Proceedings of the Prague Conference)
The proceedings of AC Company's international conference "Times are changing" -- dealing with mobility and drug use in the new European landscape: health, social and legal aspects are now available for download. Click here for the conference presentations by topic. The whole conference report (77 pages) can be downloaded as ".doc"-file here. To order a printed version of the report contact AC Company by e-mail.

7/11/2004 — Ethnicity and Addiction (16th International Congress on Addiction), September 2004
The 16th Int. Congress on Addiction takes place September 7 - 10, 2004 in Vienna, Austria, and is dedicated to the gamut of questions surrounding Ethnicity and Addiction. It will feature panels on Cultural Contexts, Access, Strategy and Treatment Setting, Violence and Trauma, aspects of Comorbidity.
With major speeches by Agar, Mike; Aimé, Charles Nicolas; Ali, Robert; Brunner, Martin; Catania, Holly; Friedmann, Alexander; Friedrich, Max; Galea, Sandro; Gossop, Michael; Griffiths, Paul; Haasen, Christian; Kastrup, Marianne; Korf, Dirk; Krausz, Michael; Ling, Walter; Malyuta, Ruslan; Mokri, Azarakhsh; Pezous, Anne-Marie; Qureshi, Adil; Rahav, Giora; Rawson, Rick; Reimer, Jens; Scheier, Lawrence; Spicer, Paul G.; Sterk, Claire; Subata, Emilis; Thomas, Yonette; Tran, Van Sung; Uhl, Alfred; Youle, Michael.
Find information on Conference Proceedings and Registration here.

3/19/2004 — Times are Changing in Europe (International Conference)
The AC COMPANY network organises a three day conference in Prague from 3 - 5 June 2004 on drug use and mobility in West, Central and Eastern Europe ("Times are changing" -- dealing with mobility and drug use in the new European landscape: health, social and legal aspects)
The disappearing of borders between the countries of the European Union and the dissolving of the Soviet Union paved the way for an increasing mobility in Europe, among others of persons who use drugs. What are the effects on their health, social and legal situation? Participants will include social workers, health care providers, policy makers and social scientists. The programme will consist of:
* key note speeches by experts on the drug policy in the countries of the enlarged European Union and of the Eastern European countries, the pattern of mobility of drug users in Europe, the health, social and legal situation.
* Workshops on models of good practice of health and social care, policies on local community level, involvement of drug user unions, prostitution, ethnic minorities, foreigners in prisons, methodology of outreach, the opportunities of internet.
* Panel discussions on human rights and harm reduction.
* Poster presentations by participants. >>> More

3/08/2004 — Europe: Monitoring the (European) Future Study
The "Monitoring the Future"-study, carried out by the University of Michigan, has been renowed for its representative and reliable data regarding the consumption of alcohol and other drugs among youth in the U.S. in general, as well as by ethnic subgroups. The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) has gathered comparable data for the countries of the European Union. Modelled after Monitoring the Future, this series of surveys is carried out as a collaborative project of 30 European countries. ESPAD is charged with collecting comparable data on alcohol, tobacco and drug use among 15-16 year old students. The Report compares these data with Monitoring the Future tenth grade data, with the long-term goal of comparing trends between countries. >>> More

2/16/2004 — United States: Religion and ethnicity may determine abstinence from substance abuse
A study entitled “Religion, Race, and Abstinence from Drug Use among American Adolescents” was recently published by the Institute for Social research/University of Michigan within the “Monitoring the Future” study group. The study examines the relationship between religiosity and abstinence and the extent to which race differences in religiosity may help to explain the consistent finding of race differences in adolescent substance use. Relative to their White counterparts, African American adolescents generally are more likely to abstain from substance use and to be highly religious. Nevertheless, religiosity is a stronger predictor of abstinence among White adolescents than among African American adolescents. In fact, among the most highly religious young people, race differences in abstinence are very small and in some instances reversed. >>> Download PDF

1/26/2004 — United States: Admissions of African-Americans to Substance Abuse Treatment
Considering the 1999 treatment admission data, alcohol or cocaine abuse account for almost two thirds of Black substance abuse treatment admissions. Black female admissions are more likely to involve treatment for “hard” drugs (e.g., opiates and cocaine) than are Black male admissions. Yet, from 1994 to 1999, Black admissions to substance abuse treatment decreased by 15 percent. >>> More >>> Download PDF

1/19/2004 — Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume 2, Issue 3
The latest edition of the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse features the following articles:
*Perception of Substance Use Problems in Asian American Communities >>> Abstract
*The Importance of Peers in Alcohol Use Among Latino Adolescents >>> Abstract
*Characteristics of Aboriginal Injecting Drug Users in Sydney >>> Abstract
*Ethnic Variation in the Prevalence of Substance Use Disorders in Youth Sectors of Care >>> Abstract
*Race and Ethnic Differences in Attempts to Cut Down or Quit Substance Use >>> Abstract

1/12/2004 — Great Britain: Access barriers for Black and minority ethnic communities?
A 2003 review published by the National Treatment Agency (NTA, a special health authority created by the Government in April 2001 with a remit to increase the availability, capacity and effectiveness of treatment for drug misuse in England) deals with Black and minority ethnic communities in England by reviewing the literature on drug use and related service provision. It comprises prevalence and patterns of drug use amongst Black and minority ethnic communities; drug service issues, including barriers to service access; and drug awareness.
>>> More >>> Download PDF

12/22/2003 — United States: New Drug Control Strategy
The White House has released its new Drug Control Strategy. Order the printed version of „The President's
National Drug Control Strategy" (2003) for free (sent to you by mail) at www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/order/order_strategy2003_foreign.asp
or download the pdf-version at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/policy/ndcs03/index.html
>>> Download PDF

11/28/2003 — Great Britain: Report by the Department of Public Heath to achieve equity, parity and consistency in the commissioning and provision of substance misuse treatment and care in the UK (Westsussex)
It is estimated by that 2011, over 50% of the population of two London boroughs will be from black and minority ethnic groups. Although the issue has not been systematically investigated, there is a widely held belief that black and minority ethnic drug users find treatment services less accessible than the rest of the population in the UK. Similarly, it is also widely believed that minority ethnic are under-represented in treatment services. The report sheds some light into this area and provides data, needs assessment and further suggestions to improve the help system for black and minority ethnic groups. >>> Download report (.doc)

10/12/2003 — United States: Tailored Treatment for Hispanics/Latinos in a Therapeutic Community
There is a serious substance abuse problem in the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States. In an effort to respond to cultural needs, CURA, a Hispanic/Latino program, focuses on "respeto", "dignidad", and "confianza". In order to assess the success rate of this orientation, an archival study was conducted using data from CURA's residential programs in 1998 and 1999. >>>Read full abstract >>>Download full article (pp. 113-134 of The Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, Volume 1, Number 1, 2002)

3/27/2003 — United States: Hispanics in Substance Abuse Treatment
A study published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed, that alcohol (36 percent), opiates (32 percent), and marijuana (14 percent) were the most common primary substances of abuse among Hispanic admissions to treatment. Hispanic admissions had a larger percentage of admissions for opiate abuse (32 percent) than non-Hispanic admissions (15 percent), while Hispanic admissions to treatment were 77 percent male and 23 percent female compared with 69 percent male and 31 percent female among non-Hispanic admissions. >>>More >>>PDF

3/17/2003 — European Union: Drug-related social exclusion of minority/migrant populations
A project to map information on the relationships between social exclusion and drugs, focusing on minorities, covering all 15 EU Member States, was carried from September 1999 to November 2000. This project clarified concepts and definitions of minorities, and reviewed the information available. It also analysed relationships between social exclusion, minorities and drugs and identified recommendations for future work. The final report is now available. >>>More >>>10-page executive summary PDF >>>Volume I PDF >>>Volume II PDF >>>Volume III (Annexes) PDF

3/10/2003 — United States: American Indians and Crime
A 1999 Report features the rates and characteristics of violent crimes experienced by American Indians (Native Americans) and summarizes data on American Indians in the criminal justice system. The findings include involvement of alcohol, drugs, and weapons in violence both against and by Indians. >>>More

3/3/2003 — United States: American Indians and Alaska Natives in Substance Abuse Treatment
In 1999, there were about 43,000 American Indian and Alaska Native admissions to publicly funded substance abuse treatment facilities. Among them, admissions for alcohol abuse declined by 11 percent between 1994 and 1999, while admissions for illicit drugs increased by 78 percent. >>>More >>>PDF

2/24/2003 — NIDA Releases 2003 Calendar Featuring Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders
NIDA's new calendar for 2003 captures the rich histories of Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in the graphics and text for each month. With cultural touchstones captured in its illustrations and photographs, the calendar offers a science-based information resource to help families and teachers speak with children about the dangers of drug abuse. Selected text segments are translated into Asian and Pacific Island languages. The calendar is available for download from www.drugabuse.gov, and within the United States free copies can be ordered from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at www.health.org or 800-729-6686 (800-487-4889 for the deaf). Ask for publication #AVD153.