Rehabilitation of the Puerto Rican Addict: A Cultural Perspective

Abstract

Drug addiction has assumed major proportions in the Hispanic population. This paper questions whether treatment programs in Puerto Rican communities adequately relate their rehabilitative services to the realities of Hispanic culture. The experience of a clinic in the South Bronx is reviewed, and it is suggested that programs need to be aware of cultural differences, provide Hispanic staff to treat Hispanic patients, and build up acknowledged strengths, values, and folkways.