"I'm Not a Druggie": Adolescents' Ethnicity and (Erroneous) Beliefs About Drug Use Norms

Abstract

Interviews were conducted with 67 Black and non-Hispanic White adolescents to gain detailed descriptions of personal and ethnic identities, perceptions of drugs and drug use norms, and reports of their own drug use behavior. In addition, this study examined ways in which ethnic identity and perceptions of cultural norms were linked to adolescent drug use attitudes. Findings imply that perceptions of culturally specific norms may be related to adolescent drug use attitudes and behavior. The authors argue for increased health campaign prevention efforts directed at erroneous perceptions of ethnic cultural norms.