Preventing Drug Abuse Among Hispanic Adolescents

America's largest ethnic minority group, Hispanics are also a youthful population: one-third of Hispanic Americans are less than 18 years old. Unfortunately, young Hispanic Americans are an at-risk population more likely than their majority culture peers to drop out of school, become involved in the criminal justice system, fall prey to violence, and face lifelong economic problems. Hispanic youths are also at risk for early drug use and subsequent harmful use and abuse. As early as eighth grade and relative to their Black and White peers, Hispanic adolescents report higher rates of most harmful substances. Drug use continues to pose problems for Hispanic youths throughout adolescence and into adulthood.