Ethnicity and Drug Use: exploring the nature of particular relationships among diverse populations in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This paper explores the substance use and misuse issues in the main visible minority ethnic communities in the UK. Trends in choice of substance, culturally specific attitudes, age and gender are explored amongst the African, African-Caribbean, Asian and Cypriot communities. It presents an outline of the patchy epidemiological data that is currently available. The paper also explores the service utilisation by minority ethnic groups and looks at the major barriers to service uptake. Increasing access to services by practical interventions to overcome barriers and prevention strategies are discussed. The difficulties of undertaking research in this field, and the translation of small local non-controlled studies to national strategies are highlighted whilst suggesting avenues for future research.