U.S. ethnic minorities and drug abuse: an assessment of the science and practice.

Despite the disproportionate use of "hard drugs" in certain ethnic minority communities, and the unique patterns of drug abuse in others, many have complained that there remains an absence of attention paid to the special problems of substance abuse by Afro-Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Latinos. Furthermore, no comprehensive review of drug abuse by American ethnic minorities has ever been undertaken. In response to these concerns, an assessment of the current status of the drug abuse field, relative to ethnic minorities, was undertaken. The review included delineation of ethnic-specific problems and the institutional and scientific responses to those concerns. Strategies for addressing inadequacies are proposed.