Examining the etiology of crack use among Latino immigrant day laborers in New Orleans

Introduction: Post-Katrina New Orleans has seen an influx of Latino day laborers due to a demand for cheap labor. Despite this immigrant population's social vulnerability there is limited understanding of their risk factors and risk behavior in this post-disaster environment. This presentation will focus on the largely unidentified emergence of crack cocaine use among this population.

Method: In-depth interviews were conducted in Spanish with 52 Latino male immigrant day laborers who reported use of illicit drugs during the past year, arrival in New Orleans post-Katrina, and living in the New Orleans area. Analysis of the qualitative data consisted of defining broad dimensions and specific variations distinguishing patterns of crack use.

Results. Findings reveal that the prevalence of open air drug markets has led to easy accessibility, thereby facilitating and maintaining patterns of crack use. Furthermore, a post-disaster context, social isolation, workers' rights abuses, violent victimization, and theft were identified as contributing factors to drug initiation and daily use.

Discussion. The emergence of crack use among Latino immigrant day laborers is problematic from a public health perspective as this population often lacks access to preventative and health care services. This population also has the potential to act as a ‘‘bridge for infection'' in the spread of HIV and other blood borne pathogens. Effective public health and social service interventions must consider the unique contextual factors influencing drug use among this population.