State of Illicit Drug Use Among Latinos

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Illicit drug use continues to be a pervasive problem in the US.  

Use of illicit drugs can have disastrous health consequences, especially for disadvantaged populations like Latinos, and can lead to premature death. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its annual report on the state of mental health and substance use in the US.  

Based on results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States covers mental health and substance use, including tobacco, illicit drugs, and more. 

So far, we have covered alcohol, tobacco and vaping, and marijuana use among Latinos. 

In the next part of our series, we’re going to explore the report and find out how using illicit drugs impacts Latinos. 

Illicit Drug Use 

Illicit drug use is made up of those who have used marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, methamphetamine, or prescription psychotherapeutic drugs, such as stimulants, tranquilizers or sedatives, and pain relievers. 

In 2023, there were 70.5 million illicit drug users aged 12 and older. 

Of the 70.5 million, 61.8 million used marijuana, 5 million used cocaine (including crack), 660,000 used heroin, 2.6 million used methamphetamine, 8.8 million used hallucinogens, and 2.6 million used inhalants, including paint thinners, aerosols, spray paints, and glues. 

Additionally, 14.4 million people misused prescription psychotherapeutic drugs. 

In the past year, 8.6 million misused prescription pain relievers, like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl, 4.7 million misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives, such as alprazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam, and 3.9 million misused prescription stimulants, including amphetamine, methylphenidate, and weight-loss stimulants. 

Misuse of stimulants, including cocaine, can cause rapid or irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure and body temperature.  

By race and ethnicity, American Indian and Alaska Natives reported the largest illicit drug use at 36.7% followed by Multiracial (36.2%), Black (27.7%), White (26.1%), Latino (21.6%), and Asian (12.4%). 

Adults age 26 and older were the most likely consumers of illicit drugs (23.9% or 53.5 million) followed by adults between ages 18 and 25 (39% or 13.3 million), and adolescents (14.7% or 3.8 million).  

When it comes to opioid misuse, most were obtained through a prescription or stolen from a healthcare provider (47%). 

39.1% of opioid misusers were given, bought from, or took the drug from a friend or relative and 8% obtained the drug by purchasing it from a drug dealer or other stranger. 

Opioid misuse, which has come into prominence in recent years, impacts 8.9 million people. 

Another illicit drug that’s gained popularity nationwide is fentanyl, which is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the report.  

Many who have consumed this drug did so unknowingly because it is included in many other drugs. To combat this, people are using fentanyl test strips to test drugs for fentanyl.  

Latino Illicit Drug Use 

In 2023, Latinos were impacted by methamphetamine at 0.9%, compared to 4.3 % American Indian or Alaska Native and Multiracial and White individuals at 1%, respectively. 

Hallucinogens effected Latinos at 2.9%, compared to 4% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.3% White, and 4.3% Multiracial individuals.  

For inhalants, Latinos were among the highest at 1%, just below Multiracial individuals at 1.2%.  

Prescription stimulant misuse had a prevalence of 0.9%, lower than Multiracial (1.4%), White (1.7%) and American Indian or Alaska Native (1.2%) individuals.  

When considering prescription tranquilizer or sedative misuse in Latinos, Latinos were at 1.5%, compared to 2.2% Multiracial and 1.9% White individuals.  

Prescription Benzodiazepine misuse in Latinos was 1.3%, just behind White (1.5%) and Multiracial (1.5%) individuals.  

Use of prescription pain relievers occurred in Latinos was at 3%, compared to 5.7% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4% Multiracial, 3.7% Black or African American, and 3.5% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander individuals.  

Latinos misused opioids at 3.1%, less than other groups – 4.1% Multiracial, 4.8% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 3.8% Black or African American, and 5.9% American Indian or Alaska Native individuals.  

Lastly, central nervous system stimulant misuse impacted Latinos at 3.2%, one of the lowest levels after Asian (1.4%) and Black or African American (2.3%) individuals.  

When it comes to prescription pain reliever disorders, Latinos had a prevalence of 1.7%, less than the 3.6% of American Indian or Alaska Native, 2.1% of Black or African American, and 1.9% of White individuals.  

Opioid use disorders in 2023, occurred 1.8% in Latinos, 2% for White, 2.2% for Black and African American, and 3.8% for American Indian or Alaska Native individuals.  

Latinos were affected by central nervous system stimulant use disorders at 1.3%, below American Indian or Alaska Native (5.5%), White (1.7%), and Multiracial (1.8%) individuals.  

Substance Use Disorders 

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are defined as someone who is inhibited by recurrent use of alcohol or other drugs, according to the report. 

Someone with a SUD may also experience health problems, disability, or failure to meet work, school, or home requirements and expectations. 

48.5 million people aged 12 or older reported a SUD in 2023, including 28.9 million who suffered from alcohol use disorder and 27.2 million people who dealt with a drug use disorder.  

About 15.6% of those with an SUD had both disorders.  

Those who were most affected by SUDs were adults between ages 18 and 25, accounting for 9.2 million people. 

Racially and ethnically, these disorders disproportionately impact some people of color. 

Prevalence of SUDs was highest among American and Indian and Alaska Natives at 25.3% followed by Multiracial at 24.3%, White at 17.8%, Black at 17.6%, Latino at 15.7%, and Asian at 9.2%. 

28.9 million people had an alcohol use disorder in 2023 with adults between ages 18 and 25 accounting for 15.1%.  

Alcohol use disorders were highest among Multiracial (18.6%), Black (9.6%), and Latino (9.2%) people.  

Drug Use Disorders 

Drug use disorder touched 27.2 million people aged 12 or older in 2023 with the highest rate among young adults between 18 and 25 at 6.1 million (18%). 

This disorder was felt heavily among American Indian or Alaska Natives at 19.7% followed by Multiracial (15.1%), Black (11.4%), White (9.6%), Latino (8.8%), and Asian (4.4%) individuals.  

About 19.2 million people had a marijuana use disorder in 2023 with the highest percentage in the 18-to-25 age group at 16.6%. 

Marijuana use disorder is prevalent among Multiracial (12.6%), Black (8.7%), White (6.7%), Latino (6.2%), and Asian (2.1%) individuals.  

1.3 million people were impacted by cocaine use disorder, 587,000 by heroin use disorder, and 1.8 million by methamphetamine use disorder in the last year. 

When it comes to prescription pain reliever use disorder, 5.3 million individuals were affected with the highest being adults 26 and older at 4.6 million (2.1%). 

 5.7 million individuals aged 12 and older dealt with an opioid use disorder and 4.3 million suffered from a stimulant use disorder, also known as central nervous system stimulant use disorder (CNS).  

Racially and ethnically, CNS is highest among Multicultural (1.8%), White (1.7%), and Latino (1.3%) individuals.  

These disorders varied in severity, including mild, moderate, and severe.  

The report states that 55.9% of disorders were mild and 21.5% were severe, with severe disorders highest among the 18-to-25 age group (26.5%). 

Marijuana use disorder was prevalent in 19.2 million people with 55.4% having a mild disorder and 18% who had a severe disorder. 

Alcohol use disorder impacted 28.9 million people aged 12 and older with 58.6% having a mild disorder and 19.4% with a severe disorder.  

Consequences of Substance Use 

The most pressing concern with substance use is the increase in deaths, especially in some of the most vulnerable groups like Latinos. 

Latino opioid deaths have continued to rise over the last several years.  

Between 2014 and 2016, Latino deaths caused by opioid overdoses rose by 52.5%, compared to a 45.8% rise in White individuals, according to the CDC.  

It has also been noted that predominately Latino communities have experienced some of the highest increase in opioid deaths.  

For Latinos living in California, drug deaths nearly doubled between 2016 and 2019. 

Even places without a high Latino population have had an increase in opioid deaths. 

In Philadelphia, overdose deaths in White individuals dropped by 3% in 2019, but increased 24% in Latinos.  

Drug overdose is especially prevalent in rural areas, where opioids are more easily obtained and there are fewer treatment facilities.  

In more recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a surge of drug overdoses, causing a historical spike among Latinos.  

According to research cited by Salud America!, drug-related deaths experienced a 21% spike during COVID-19 — a historical high for the US.  

During COVID-19, many turned to substance use to cope with stress of the lockdown while those already struggling with substance use struggled to maintain control over their addiction, especially with the suspension of treatment programs.   

Many lost jobs and experienced homelessness during the pandemic, which only added to the stress and exacerbated racial and ethnic disparities.  

Stay tuned for the next installment of our substance and mental health series to find out how to address substance misuse disorders. 

Check the Health of Your Community 

How can we improve public health?  

Start by examining the health equity in your own backyard.  

Download a free Health Equity Report Card from Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio to see where your community stands on access to healthy foods, exposure to harmful toxins and chemicals, poverty, education, and more.  

Use the helpful maps, charts, and graphs to identify issues and guide your community toward health equity.   

The information can be compared to the rest of your state or the country.   

Share it on social media, with friends and loved ones, and/or your local community leaders and fight for health equity where you live! 

GET YOUR HEALTH EQUITY REPORT CARD!