Jw. Welte et Gm. Barnes, ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG-USE AMONG HISPANICS IN NEW-YORK-STATE, Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 19(4), 1995, pp. 1061-1066
Surveys have generally shown that Hispanics in the United States have
lower than the national average rates of drinking, along with average
rates of heavy drinking and drug use. Acculturation has been shown to
be related to drinking and drug use. This study reports results from a
large general population telephone survey conducted in New York State
. Hispanic New York State residents were lower than the national avera
ge in drinking and heavy drinking when demographic variables were held
constant. Gender differences in substance use were greater for Hispan
ics than for non-Hispanics, with males higher than females. Among Hisp
anic groups, Puerto Ricans were high and Dominicans were low in drug u
se. Among Hispanics, more frequent use of English was associated with
higher drinking and drug use rates. Traditional Hispanic attitudes and
closeness to country or origin were not related to substance use.