Illegal Drug Use Among Asian American Youths in Dallas

Abstract

Asian Americans have often been perceived as the “model minority” that is relatively immune to the problem of illegal drug use. This paper examines the patterns and determinants of illegal drug use among first and second-generation Asian American youths in Dallas-an area with rapid Asian population growth. Through a targeted survey, we have found a very high rate of cumulative drug use and a significant rate of current drug use. We have also detected some intra-Asian differences in drug abuse among major Asian groups. The results of our statistical analysis identify several possible correlates of current Asian drug abuse, including gender, differential association, parental warning, GPA, type of neighborhood, and high-school quality.