SUBSTANCE USE AND MULTICULTURALISM

This paper reviews intercultural variability of substance use behavior s, including availability of international statistics on consumption o f alcohol and other drugs, as well as the use of drugs available local ly only. Within a conceptual framework of intercultural relations, it considers the history of transcultural spread of substance use behavio rs and possible reactions to the introduction of new drugs within a cu lture or jurisdiction, including illustrations of the ''law of alien p oisons.'' Although intercultural views of substance use have generally concentrated on majority groups' views of substance use in minority g roups, minority and non-Western views of substance use need to be cons idered in the context of increasing international and intercultural co mmunications that increase the rate at which substance use behaviors s pread, Both Western and non-Western experiences with substance use and misuse must be taken into account so that better interventions can be developed to deal with addictions and other substance-related problem s.