Tecatas: An ethnotheoretical look at Mexican American female injecting drug users

Ethnotheory is suggested as a way to study the roles Mexican American femal e injecting drug users play. It is suggested that ethnotheory extends prese nt theoretical models used to explain and modify female IDUs' behavior; pro vide insights on female IDUs' roles useful for the development of effective intervention strategies; and Suggests a type of ethnographic data collecti on that uncovers the subject's view of reality. Three detailed ethnographic excerpts from Mexican American female IDUs illustrate how female IDUs mana ge the array of roles they play and how information gained through ethnothe ory is useful in the design of culturally relevant interventions.