Ethno-Cultural Differences in the Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs: Evidence from the Vancouver Youth Drug Reporting System

Abstract

This article reports on ethno-cultural differences in the use of alcohol and other drugs by using data derived from the Vancouver Youth Drug Reporting System. Data were collected between May and August 2006 among a sample of 514 youth aged 16 to 25. Statistically significant ethno-cultural differences were reported for “lifetime” alcohol and other drugs prevalence; alcohol and other drugs experience in the peer group; parental attitudes; and in the assessment of alcohol and other drugs prevention strategies. White and Aboriginal youth reported significantly higher rates of personal and peer group alcohol and other drugs use than other groups, whereas Chinese youth reported the lowest rates.The implications of these findings for alcohol and other drug prevention efforts are briefly discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• ethnicity
• prevention
• substance use
• Vancouver
• youth

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Vancouver Coastal Health with thanks to Jennifer Vornbrock, David Marsh and Heather Hay for their support and leadership. The authors would also like to thank the following for their contributions: Shirley Chau, Azar Mehrabadi, Jasmina Memetovic, the interviewers (Elaine Ryan, Heather Charlton, Liz Kreig and Jennifer Keefe) and of course all the youth who participated.

Notes

^a Seven variables in the model and P value for Wald test:

*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.

OR = odds ratio; CI = confidence interval.

^a Seven variables in the model and P value for Wald test:

*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.

OR = odds ratio; CI = confidence interval.

^a Seven variables in the model and P value for Wald test:

*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.

OR = odds ratio; CI = confidence interval.

^a Club drugs include ecstasy, mushrooms, GHB, and ketamine:

^b Seven variables in the model and P value for Wald test.

*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.

OR = odds ratio; CI = confidence interval.

*P ≤ 0.05, ***P ≤ 0.01, ***P ≤ 0.001.

ANOVA = analysis of variance, NS = not significant.

*P ≤ 0.05, ***P ≤ 0.01, ***P ≤ 0.001.

ANOVA = analysis of variance, NS = not significant.

*P ≤ 0.05, ***P ≤ 0.01, ***P ≤ 0.001.

ANOVA = analysis of variance, NS = not significant.

NS = not significant; all statistically significant figures in bold.