A long-held (and unfairly biased) view of drug users is that they tend to be black, Latino, or of some other non-white ethnicity. When you look at the facts, however, this isn’t necessarily true.
There are about 44.5 million African Americans in the United States (about 14.2% of the total population). According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH):
- The rate of illegal drug use in one month among African Americans ages 12 and up in 2014 was 12.4%, compared to the national average of 10.2%.
- The rate of binge drinking among African Americans ages 12 and up was 21.6%, compared with the national average of 23%.
- African Americans ages 12 to 20 reported past-month alcohol use at a rate of 17.3%, compared with the national average of 22.8%. Past-month underage binge drinking was 8.5% for African American youth, while the national average was 13.8%.
There are about 5.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States (about 1.7% of the total population). American Indians and Alaska Natives experience some of the highest rates of substance use and mental disorders compared to other U.S. racial or ethnic groups. For instance:
- The rate of illegal drug use in one month among American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 12 and up in 2014 was 14.9%.
- American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 12 to 20 in 2014 reported past-month alcohol use at a rate of 21.9%, compared with the national average of 22.8%.
- Past-month underage binge drinking was 14.3% for American Indian and Alaska Native youth, while the national average was 13.8%.
- In 2010, Native Americans had the highest rate of drug-induced death (17.1%).
There are about 18.2 million people who identify themselves as Asian American. There are also 1.4 million Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders in the United States. In 2014:
- Among people, ages 12 and up, the rate of illegal drug use in one month was 4.1% among Asian Americans and 15.6% among Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders.
- The rate of binge alcohol use was lowest among Asian Americans ages 12 and up (14.5%). The binge alcohol use rate was 18.3% among Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders.
- The past-month binge alcohol use rate for youth ages 12 to 20 was 6.7% for Asian Americans, compared with the national average of 13.8%.
- The rate of substance dependence or abuse was 4.5% for Asian Americans and 10% for Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders.
There are about 52 million Hispanics or Latinos in the United States (about 16.7% of the total population). By 2050, the number of people in this population group is expected to double to about 132.8 million, making up approximately 30% of the total U.S. population.
- The rate of illicit drug use in one month among Hispanic individuals ages 12 and up was 8.9%, while the national average was 10.2%.
- The rate of binge alcohol use among Hispanics or Latinos within this age group was 24.7%. Alcohol use in the last year among people ages 12 to 17 was 23.9% for Hispanic youth.
You can see that most of these groups are actually below the national average for drug use. In any cases where a minority does fall outside the norm, it’s more likely that their drug use has more to with poor social and economic conditions than any sort of inherent failing.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949-438-4504).
