Characteristics of Asian and Pacific Islanders admitted to U.S. drug treatment programs in 2005

We determined how Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) differ from clients from other ethnic groups in regard to drug use and admissions to drug treatment programs.

We used national survey and treatment admissions data to characterize drug problems and first-time adult admissions to publicly funded drug treatment programs in the U.S. in 2005.

APIs accounted for 1.9% of illicit drug use in U.S. adults and for 1.3% of adult clients entering drug treatment for the first time. Compared with other ethnic groups, APIs were significantly more likely to be entering treatment for the first time. Stimulants were the primary drug problem for 57.3% of API first-time treatment clients, a significantly greater proportion than other ethnic groups. This figure had increased from 45.3% in 2001, significantly greater than the increase among Caucasian or African American clients. API first-time admissions had used drugs less frequently (13.6 days in the prior 30 days), began drug use at a slightly older age (mean = 20.7 years), and had a shorter period between start of use and first admission (mean = 9.4 years) than other racial/ethnic groups.

Stimulant use was the predominant problem of API clients entering treatment for the first time. APIs were underrepresented in the treatment system relative to their share of the population with drug problems. Diverse groups were aggregated to form the API category. Information on APIs needs to be disaggregated to develop more culturally appropriate and effective treatment.