282014
Alcohol tobacco and other drug trends and attitudes among Asian and Pacific Islander young adults, ages 18-29, in SF bay area
Shristi Reddy, MPH,
Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
John Lam, BA,
Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, San Francisco, CA
Denmark Diaz, BA,
Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Andrea Rufo, BS,
Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Carmen Chen, BA,
Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Daniel Toleran, MS,
Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Background: Few studies have focused on alcohol and drug use among Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) young adults. Recent local data published on Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese high-risk adults, however, indicates a positive association between young adults 18 to 25 years of age and alcohol use. Additionally, polysubstance use consisting of ecstasy and methamphetamine was also common among young adults. Understanding perceptions of alcohol and drug use in this population is important in the development of effective prevention efforts. Purpose: Focus groups were conducted to identify risk behaviors associated with alcohol and drug use and understand perceptions of use among 18-29 year old A&PI's in the San Francisco Bay Area. Methods: Eight semi-structured focus groups (FGs) were conducted with individuals from four SF Bay Area counties. Criteria for the FG were: A&PI, ages of 18-29, and residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Special populations of interest included recreational substance users, men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM), and local university students. Program staff facilitated FGs, and organized, coded, and analyzed results through an online software, Saturate. Results: Participants shared their experiences with alcohol and other drugs including popular trends and access. Findings suggest that participants are drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana mostly with friends and alone on some occasions. Primary access to alcohol and drugs was through house parties, bars and clubs that do not practice consistent underage screening. Participants shared that substance use was a means to relax, de-stress, celebrate, and socialize. Conclusion: Findings illustrate that A&PI young adults have access to both alcohol and substances and are using for varying reasons. Such findings have helped to inform on development and implementation of culturally competent and comprehensive prevention program.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Identify risk behaviors associated with alcohol and drug use among Asian and Pacific Islanders young adults
Compare alcohol and drug use trends in published literature about young adults to findings from this population, Asian and Pacific Islander young adults, ages 18 to 29.
Keyword(s): Asian and Pacific Islander, Substance Abuse Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the project coordinator for this federally funded grant focusing on sexual health and substance abuse issues in the Asian and Pacific Islander community. I have several years of mental health and substance abuse experience.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
