ETHNIC AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN DRUG-USERS PERCEIVED NEED FOR TREATMENT

Little is known about ethnic and gender variation in drug users' perce ived need for treatment or about the predisposing factors that might a ccount for such variation. Among 1,170 drug-using arrestees in Los Ang eles, perceived need for treatment is positively related to these pred isposing factors: self-reported drug dependence, attitude toward treat ment for drug use, and occurrence of drug-related problems other than dependence. Self-reported drug dependence is higher among women and ac counts for the greater perceived need reported by women. Hispanics are less likely to perceive a need for treatment. Among daily drug users, both Hispanics and African-Americans are less likely to do so. These ethnic differences are not explained by self-reported drug dependence or any other predisposing factor. Implications for treatment referral, intake, and counseling are discussed.