Age of first substance use among Native Americans in Southern California

Background: Early alcohol and illicit drug use have been identified as significant predictors of subsequent substance use disorders. American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have high rates of alcohol and drug use disorders; however, there is a dearth of information with regard to the age of first use of alcohol and illicit drugs among AI/AN. Methods: The Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA) was administered to 4,836 participants receiving services at an urban HIV/AIDS service program in California. A subset was administered the Desires for Speed Questionnaire (DSQ), and the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS). Results: Compared to all other races, AI/AN had significantly younger age of first use of alcohol (11.98 years), marijuana/hashish (13.86 years), crack cocaine (24.53 years), heroin (20.68 years), amphetamine (19.85 years), and other drugs (16.70 years). AI/AN had a significantly higher Alcohol Dependence Scale score (5.76, SD=4.56). In addition, AI/AN also had a significant correlation between age of first use of amphetamines and the reinforcement subscale of the DSQ (r=.82, p=.01). Conclusions: There is an urgent need to fund programs for substance abuse prevention for urban AI/AN youth. These substance abuse prevention programs for AI/AN youth need to go beyond alcohol use and should also address illicit drug use.