ABSTRACT
If we are to understand and reduce the problems of adolescent substance use, we must be knowledgeable of the ethnic influences which are transmitted through the family from one generation to the next. Ethnicity, as well as the integrally related issues of culture and religion, powerfully affects the family which in turn affects substance use and abuse. Adolescent use of drugs and alcohol are inextricably fused in most cases. Although alcohol is considered a drug, substance abuse is the term generally used to cover both drug and alcohol abuse. We will use “drug abuse” in those rare instances where we are referring specifically to drugs and substance abuse in all other circumstances.
