Introduction: Drug Abuse Among Rural Ethnic and Migrant Populations

Drug abuse is a major health problem for minority populations in the United States. Data show that drug abuse has disproportionately severe consequences for minority populations in comparison to the white population in that they have higher morbidity and mortality from drug-related causes and are less likely to receive adequate treatment. For example, data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) database found that blacks and Hispanics were more likely to be treated and released from a hospital following a drug-related visit to the emergency room in comparison to whites, who were more likely to be admitted for treatment. Eradicating drug abuse and addiction in minority communities is a major national goal. The field, however, does not have the scientific database it needs to implement widespread, effective prevention inter-vention programs and treatment approaches that will eliminate these consequences. Overall, a broader and more rigorous knowledge base on drug abuse and addiction in racial and ethnic minority populations is needed.