Substance Abusing Latinos by Shulamith L. A. Straussner; Mario De La Rosa; Lori HolleranPublication Date: 2012
Discover the role culture, family, and environment have in the prevention of Latino substance abuse This book presents the latest research on the epidemic of substance abuse now afflicting the Latino community. Ethnic differences are reviewed, including specific studies covering gang members, low-income urban women, risky behaviors, and language preference indicators of acculturation. This book also discusses effective treatment strategies to help practitioners provide quality, culturally competent care to lacking Latino populations. Latinos, the largest minority in the United States, have an increasing alcohol and illicit drug use problem. Culture, acculturation, and language hold powerful sway in the research of Latino/a substance abuse. The book delves deeply into troubling issues such as gang membership, sexual abuse, the lack of healthy family role models, the effects of different levels of acculturation, the lack of health insurance, and rampant involvement with the criminal system. The research is used as a foundation to focus on the latest advances of substance abuse prevention and culturally competent intervention programs. The book is essential reading for educators, students, practitioners working with Latino/a populations, and substance abuse researchers.