Survey of Adolescent Substance Use Among Asians and Other Ethnic Groups in California

Director: Gregory Austin

Contact: Greg Austin
Tel: 562.799.5155
Email: gaustin@WestEd.org

Project Description: WestEd is conducting an exploratory study of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use among 9th- and 12th-grade Asian students in comparison to other ethnic groups. All 9th- and 12th-grade students are surveyed in approximately 30 California high schools that have at least 25 percent Asian enrollment. The specific objectives are to
  1. determine substance use levels and behaviors, attitudes and norms, and consequences among adolescent males and females in at least the five major Asian groups (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and Vietnamese);
  2. explore the psychosocial correlates that are related to, and help explain, variations in use behaviors and problems among individuals within each Asian group and demographic subcategories;
  3. compare the prevalence rates and patterns among Asians with Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, and Whites; and
  4. assess the prevention, intervention, and general policy implications of the findings as a guideline for program and policy development.
This is the most comprehensive study to date on drug use among Asian adolescents that looks at group-specific differences.

The survey instrument is a modified version of the highly-regarded American Drug and Alcohol Survey, and the study is being conducted in collaboration with the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Supplementary funds were also awarded to (a) assess the effectiveness of an innovative technique for obtaining written parent/guardian consent for student participation; and (b) provide a one-year fellowship for a minority researcher to examine subgroup differences in ATOD use in the results of the 1993-94 California Student Substance Use Survey and the 1994 California Youth Survey of Substance Use, Dropping Out, and Other Risky Behaviors.


This project is part of WestEd's Health and Human Development Program

Gregory Austin, Director, Health & Human Development
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