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Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wesa20
Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking, and Problem Behavior a
Richard Isralowitz & Alexander Reznik
a
a
Ben Gurion University , Beer Sheva , Israel Published online: 22 May 2014.
Click for updates To cite this article: Richard Isralowitz & Alexander Reznik (2014) Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking, and Problem Behavior, Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 13:2, 179-184, DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2013.853016 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2013.853016
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Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 13:179–184, 2014 Copyright # Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1533-2640 print=1533-2659 online DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2013.853016
Downloaded by [University of Newcastle, Australia] at 09:54 30 December 2014
Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking, and Problem Behavior RICHARD ISRALOWITZ and ALEXANDER REZNIK Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
Alcohol use among underage youth has a major impact on public health, accidents, fatalities, and other problem behaviors. In Israel, alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors are a growing concern. The purpose of this study was to examine underserved and underreported Ethiopian origin youth by comparing their substance use patterns and behavior with other high-risk youth. Data were collected from a purposive sample of boys of Ethiopian, former Soviet Union, and Israeli origin who were receiving treatment for drug use. Youth were asked to complete a simply worded self-report questionnaire developed for monitoring substance use and related problem behaviors. Ethiopian youth reported higher rates of family unemployment and public welfare dependence, last 30-day consumption of beer and hard liquor, serious fighting, and achievement decline when in school compared with the other youths. Findings highlight the need for ethno-cultural specific prevention and intervention efforts and further research of this high-risk, underserved group of immigrant origin youth. KEYWORDS alcohol use, binge drinking, Ethiopian youth, substance use
BEHAVIOR Alcohol use among underage youth has a major impact on public health and costs billions of dollars annually in losses that result from traffic accidents and The authors thank Moshe Kron (past director) and Katya Levin (current director) of Youth Magal, Jerusalem, for their cooperation with this research. Address correspondence to Richard Isralowitz, PhD, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel 84105. E-mail: [email protected]. 179
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fatalities, violent crime, and other problem behavior (Bonnie & O’Connell, 2004). A major factor attributed to this problem is binge drinking, commonly defined as 5 or more drinks on the same occasion within about 2 hours (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2012). In Europe, last 30-day binge drinking rates for youth range from 37% to 60% (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2012). In the United States, approximately 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth is in the result of binge drinking (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2005), reportedly as high as 36% for 12th grade male (CDC, 2012; Johnston, O’Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2012). In a nationally representative sample of high-risk youth in alternative schools, last 30-day binge drinking has been reported to be approximately 50% (Windle, 2003). In Israel, alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors are a growing concern. Among youth receiving substance abuse treatment, 80% reported last 30-day alcohol use, 33% reported binge drinking, 10% reported driving a car after drinking, and 14% reported being in car when the driver had been drinking (Isralowitz & Reznik, 2006). Of youth receiving probation services for delinquent activity, 61% reported last 30-day alcohol use, 32% reported binge drinking, 5% reported driving a car after drinking, and 12% reported being in a car with a driver who had been drinking (Isralowitz & Rawson, 2006). This article focuses on alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors among male Ethiopian school dropouts who were receiving treatment for drug use. They are compared with former Soviet Union and Israeli origin youth with similar status. Data on other drugs (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, and non-prescription drug use) have been collected as part of an ongoing effort to monitor patterns of use among dropouts. However, scant information has been reported about this group of youth.
School Dropouts in Israel After several years of declining numbers, in 2009 the Ministry of Education reported an increase of school dropouts by approximately 40% and that three quarters of the dropouts came from three population groups: immigrants, ultra-Orthodox Jews, and Arabs (Kashti, 2010). Current dropout rates range from 4.1% to 10%, depending on ethnic origin (Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, 2012).
Ethiopian Youth The Ethiopian origin community in Israel is comprised of approximately 115,000 people, or about 1.5% of the population (Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, 2014). Difficulties with language, unemployment, low socioeconomic status, and prejudice have been related to problem behavior, including
Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth
181
school dropout, delinquency, and drug abuse (Buckard, 2001; Ringel, Ronell, & Getahune, 2005). Studies comparing high-risk youth (e.g., juvenile offenders and those with learning and=or behavior problems) show that those with parents of immigrant origin have significantly higher levels of drug use and binge drinking (Isralowitz & Reznik, 2007; Kahan-Strawczynski, Ben Simon, & Konstantinov, 2013; Shechory & Ben-David, 2010).
Downloaded by [University of Newcastle, Australia] at 09:54 30 December 2014
METHOD Data were collected from 2004 to 2012 from a purposive sample of 57 Ethiopian, 176 former Soviet Union, and 193 Israeli origin males receiving 90-day drug treatment in a residential program. During their intake interview for treatment, youth were asked to complete a simply worded self-report questionnaire. Data were collected in a voluntary and anonymous manner complying with human subject guidelines of the residential treatment facility, the Ministry of Health and Ben Gurion University. The Substance Use Survey Instrument (SUSI) was used for data collection; it consists of 31 questions about background characteristics, substance use patterns, and related problem behaviors. Prepared in English, the questionnaire was translated to Hebrew and then back translated. The instrument has been found to be reliable (Cronbach alpha, 0.93). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 19 software. Chi square and one-way analysis of variance analyses were used to determine alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors based on country of origin.
RESULTS The age of the youth ranged from 13 to 18 years, with a median age of 17.0 years. Rates of Ethiopian parent unemployment and dependence on public welfare benefits (39.3% and 60.4%, respectively) were significantly higher (p < .001 and p < .01, respectively) than those with former Soviet Union (17.8% and 25.9%) and Israeli origin status (29.4% and 53.1%). The majority (93.8%) of youth reported lifetime alcohol use. Former Soviet Union origin youth were significantly more likely to begin drinking at an earlier age (p < .001). Ethiopian youth reported significantly higher rates of current, last 30-day beer (85.7%, 69.1%, 67.7%; p < .05) and hard liquor use (76.8%, 58.6%, 59.6%; p < .05) than FSU and Israeli origin youth. No significant difference was reported for last 30-day binge drinking. However, Ethiopian youth were significantly more likely than FSU and Israeli origin youth to have been in a serious fight and report a decline in school achievement before dropping out of school. Table 1 provides results based on country of origin status.
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TABLE 1 Ethiopian, Former Soviet Union, and Israel Origin High-Risk Youth: Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking, and Problem Behaviors Origin
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Alcohol and Problem Behaviors Lifetime any alcohol use, % (n) Beer use Lifetime, % (n) Age of start (y), mean (SD) Wine use Lifetime, % (n) Age of start (y), mean (SD) Hard liquor use Lifetime, % (n) Age of start (y), mean (SD) Last 30 days Any alcohol use, % (n) Beer use, % (n) Wine use, % (n) Hard liquor use, % (n) Binge drinking, % (n) Driving after drinking, % (n) Passenger when the driver had been drinking, % (n) Past 12 months Decline in school achievement, % (n) Decline relations with family members, % (n) Decline relations with friends, % (n) Gotten into serious fight, % (n) 1
Ethiopia (n ¼ 57)1
FSU (n ¼ 176)1
Israel (N ¼ 193)1
v2 or F value
96.4 (54)
94.3 (166)
92.5 (173)
1.2
92.9 (52) 13.7 (2.5)
90.3 (159) 12.4 (2.6)
88.9 (169) 13.3 (1.9)
0.8 8.4
75.4 (43) 14.0 (2.6)
76.1 (134) 12.3 (2.6)
64.7 (121) 13.4 (2.3)
6.4 8.5
89.5 (51) 14.1 (2.7)
80.7 (142) 12.8 (2.3)
85.3 (162) 13.8 (2.0)
2.9 7.9
89.3 85.7 44.6 76.8 52.6 13.0 24.1
76.9 69.1 36.8 58.6 45.2 11.7 18.1
76.9 67.7 36.6 59.6 45.9 10.3 23.9
(143) (128) (68) (107) (85) (19) (44)
4.4 7.1 1.3 7.5 1.0 0.4 2.0
(50) (48) (25) (43) (30) (7) (13)
(133) (121) (64) (102) (76) (19) (30)
65.9 (27) 50.0 (26)
56.5 (61) 68.8 (110)
45.0 (68) 65.2 (118)
7.0 6.1
43.4 (23) 61.1 (33)
56.4 (88) 54.3 (89)
47.1 (81) 44.3 (81)
4.0 6.2
p < .05; p < .001. Up to 5 participants with missing data on one or more variables.
DISCUSSION This study provides an overview of alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors among Ethiopian school drop outs; however, several limitations affect the ability to generalize the findings. Data were based on self-reports of youth at the intake stage for treatment. Adolescents, especially those referred to a residential treatment facility, can be suspicious about information gathering and may provide arbitrary or inconsistent responses (Hawke, Hennen, & Gallione, 2005). Also, the possibility of underreporting alcohol use exists with self-report. However, the high rates of alcohol use and related problem behavior among Ethiopian youth point to the need for greater ethno-cultural specific prevention and intervention efforts.
Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth
183
CONCLUSION
Downloaded by [University of Newcastle, Australia] at 09:54 30 December 2014
Given the paucity of literature on alcohol use among school dropouts, particularly those of Ethiopian origin, this article contributes to the understanding of a segment of society that is neither well understood nor adequately addressed in terms of education, employment, and health and social services. Further research is needed to validate the current study findings so such information may be useful for policy and services, as well as for training practitioners who are addressing the needs of youth of Ethiopian origin.
REFERENCES Bonnie, R. J., & O’Connell, M. E. (Eds.), (2004). Reducing underage drinking: A collective responsibility. Committee on Developing a Strategy to Reduce and Prevent Underage Drinking, Board on Children, Youth and Families, National Research Council, Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences. Buckard, C. (2001). Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Tel-Aviv, Israel: Heinrich-Boell Foundation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Morbidity and mortality weekly report: Youth risk behavior surveillance–United States, 2011. Surveillance Summaries. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ ss6104a1.htm Hawke, J. M., Hennen, J., & Gallione, P. (2005). Correlates of therapeutic involvement among adolescents in residential drug treatment. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 31, 163–177. Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. (2014). Statistical abstract of Israel 2013. Retrieved from http://cbs.gov.il/reader/shnatonenew_site.htm Isralowitz, R., & Rawson, R. (2006). Gender differences in prevalence of drug use among high risk adolescents in Israel. Addictive Behaviors, 31, 355–358. Isralowitz, R., & Reznik, A. (2006). Brief report: Binge drinking among high risk male and female adolescents in Israel. Journal of Adolescence, 29, 845–849. Isralowitz, R. E., & Reznik, A. (2007). Former Soviet Union immigrant and nativeborn adolescents in Israel: Substance use and related problem behavior. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 6, 131–138. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2012). Prevalence of underage drinking. Retrieved from http://www.camy.org/factsheets/sheets/prevalence_ of_underage_drinking.html Johnston, L., O’Malley, P., Bachman, J., & Schulenberg, J. (2012). Monitoring the Future: National Results on Adolescent Drug Use, Overview of Key Findings 2011. Retrieved from http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/pubs/monographs/ mtf-overview2011.pdf Kahan-Strawczynski, P., Ben Simon, B., & Konstantinov, V. (2013). The characteristics and needs of youth in youth rehabilitation service programs (executive summary). Jerusalem: JDC–Brookdale Institute. Kashti, O. (2010). Student dropout rate jumps by nearly 40 percent. Haaretz, June 17.
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Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (2005). Drinking in America: Myths, realities, and prevention policy. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2005. Retrieved from http://www.udetc.org/documents/Drinking_ in_America.pdf Ringel, S., Ronell, N., & Getahune, S. (2005). Factors in the integration process of adolescent immigrants: The case of Ethiopian Jews in Israel. International Social Work, 48, 63–76. doi: 10.1177=0020872805048709 Shechory, M., & Ben-David, S. (2010). A comparative analysis of delinquency among youth from the former Soviet Union and from Ethiopia in Israel. Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice, 8, 290–311. doi: 10.1080=15377938.2010.526871 Windle, M. (2003). Alcohol use among adolescents and young adults. Alcohol Research & Health. Retrieved from http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/ arh27-1/79-86.htm
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wesa20
Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking, and Problem Behavior a
Richard Isralowitz & Alexander Reznik
a
a
Ben Gurion University , Beer Sheva , Israel Published online: 22 May 2014.
Click for updates To cite this article: Richard Isralowitz & Alexander Reznik (2014) Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking, and Problem Behavior, Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 13:2, 179-184, DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2013.853016 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2013.853016
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms &
Downloaded by [University of Newcastle, Australia] at 09:54 30 December 2014
Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 13:179–184, 2014 Copyright # Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1533-2640 print=1533-2659 online DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2013.853016
Downloaded by [University of Newcastle, Australia] at 09:54 30 December 2014
Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking, and Problem Behavior RICHARD ISRALOWITZ and ALEXANDER REZNIK Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
Alcohol use among underage youth has a major impact on public health, accidents, fatalities, and other problem behaviors. In Israel, alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors are a growing concern. The purpose of this study was to examine underserved and underreported Ethiopian origin youth by comparing their substance use patterns and behavior with other high-risk youth. Data were collected from a purposive sample of boys of Ethiopian, former Soviet Union, and Israeli origin who were receiving treatment for drug use. Youth were asked to complete a simply worded self-report questionnaire developed for monitoring substance use and related problem behaviors. Ethiopian youth reported higher rates of family unemployment and public welfare dependence, last 30-day consumption of beer and hard liquor, serious fighting, and achievement decline when in school compared with the other youths. Findings highlight the need for ethno-cultural specific prevention and intervention efforts and further research of this high-risk, underserved group of immigrant origin youth. KEYWORDS alcohol use, binge drinking, Ethiopian youth, substance use
BEHAVIOR Alcohol use among underage youth has a major impact on public health and costs billions of dollars annually in losses that result from traffic accidents and The authors thank Moshe Kron (past director) and Katya Levin (current director) of Youth Magal, Jerusalem, for their cooperation with this research. Address correspondence to Richard Isralowitz, PhD, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel 84105. E-mail: [email protected]. 179
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fatalities, violent crime, and other problem behavior (Bonnie & O’Connell, 2004). A major factor attributed to this problem is binge drinking, commonly defined as 5 or more drinks on the same occasion within about 2 hours (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2012). In Europe, last 30-day binge drinking rates for youth range from 37% to 60% (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2012). In the United States, approximately 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth is in the result of binge drinking (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2005), reportedly as high as 36% for 12th grade male (CDC, 2012; Johnston, O’Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2012). In a nationally representative sample of high-risk youth in alternative schools, last 30-day binge drinking has been reported to be approximately 50% (Windle, 2003). In Israel, alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors are a growing concern. Among youth receiving substance abuse treatment, 80% reported last 30-day alcohol use, 33% reported binge drinking, 10% reported driving a car after drinking, and 14% reported being in car when the driver had been drinking (Isralowitz & Reznik, 2006). Of youth receiving probation services for delinquent activity, 61% reported last 30-day alcohol use, 32% reported binge drinking, 5% reported driving a car after drinking, and 12% reported being in a car with a driver who had been drinking (Isralowitz & Rawson, 2006). This article focuses on alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors among male Ethiopian school dropouts who were receiving treatment for drug use. They are compared with former Soviet Union and Israeli origin youth with similar status. Data on other drugs (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, and non-prescription drug use) have been collected as part of an ongoing effort to monitor patterns of use among dropouts. However, scant information has been reported about this group of youth.
School Dropouts in Israel After several years of declining numbers, in 2009 the Ministry of Education reported an increase of school dropouts by approximately 40% and that three quarters of the dropouts came from three population groups: immigrants, ultra-Orthodox Jews, and Arabs (Kashti, 2010). Current dropout rates range from 4.1% to 10%, depending on ethnic origin (Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, 2012).
Ethiopian Youth The Ethiopian origin community in Israel is comprised of approximately 115,000 people, or about 1.5% of the population (Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, 2014). Difficulties with language, unemployment, low socioeconomic status, and prejudice have been related to problem behavior, including
Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth
181
school dropout, delinquency, and drug abuse (Buckard, 2001; Ringel, Ronell, & Getahune, 2005). Studies comparing high-risk youth (e.g., juvenile offenders and those with learning and=or behavior problems) show that those with parents of immigrant origin have significantly higher levels of drug use and binge drinking (Isralowitz & Reznik, 2007; Kahan-Strawczynski, Ben Simon, & Konstantinov, 2013; Shechory & Ben-David, 2010).
Downloaded by [University of Newcastle, Australia] at 09:54 30 December 2014
METHOD Data were collected from 2004 to 2012 from a purposive sample of 57 Ethiopian, 176 former Soviet Union, and 193 Israeli origin males receiving 90-day drug treatment in a residential program. During their intake interview for treatment, youth were asked to complete a simply worded self-report questionnaire. Data were collected in a voluntary and anonymous manner complying with human subject guidelines of the residential treatment facility, the Ministry of Health and Ben Gurion University. The Substance Use Survey Instrument (SUSI) was used for data collection; it consists of 31 questions about background characteristics, substance use patterns, and related problem behaviors. Prepared in English, the questionnaire was translated to Hebrew and then back translated. The instrument has been found to be reliable (Cronbach alpha, 0.93). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 19 software. Chi square and one-way analysis of variance analyses were used to determine alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors based on country of origin.
RESULTS The age of the youth ranged from 13 to 18 years, with a median age of 17.0 years. Rates of Ethiopian parent unemployment and dependence on public welfare benefits (39.3% and 60.4%, respectively) were significantly higher (p < .001 and p < .01, respectively) than those with former Soviet Union (17.8% and 25.9%) and Israeli origin status (29.4% and 53.1%). The majority (93.8%) of youth reported lifetime alcohol use. Former Soviet Union origin youth were significantly more likely to begin drinking at an earlier age (p < .001). Ethiopian youth reported significantly higher rates of current, last 30-day beer (85.7%, 69.1%, 67.7%; p < .05) and hard liquor use (76.8%, 58.6%, 59.6%; p < .05) than FSU and Israeli origin youth. No significant difference was reported for last 30-day binge drinking. However, Ethiopian youth were significantly more likely than FSU and Israeli origin youth to have been in a serious fight and report a decline in school achievement before dropping out of school. Table 1 provides results based on country of origin status.
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TABLE 1 Ethiopian, Former Soviet Union, and Israel Origin High-Risk Youth: Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking, and Problem Behaviors Origin
Downloaded by [University of Newcastle, Australia] at 09:54 30 December 2014
Alcohol and Problem Behaviors Lifetime any alcohol use, % (n) Beer use Lifetime, % (n) Age of start (y), mean (SD) Wine use Lifetime, % (n) Age of start (y), mean (SD) Hard liquor use Lifetime, % (n) Age of start (y), mean (SD) Last 30 days Any alcohol use, % (n) Beer use, % (n) Wine use, % (n) Hard liquor use, % (n) Binge drinking, % (n) Driving after drinking, % (n) Passenger when the driver had been drinking, % (n) Past 12 months Decline in school achievement, % (n) Decline relations with family members, % (n) Decline relations with friends, % (n) Gotten into serious fight, % (n) 1
Ethiopia (n ¼ 57)1
FSU (n ¼ 176)1
Israel (N ¼ 193)1
v2 or F value
96.4 (54)
94.3 (166)
92.5 (173)
1.2
92.9 (52) 13.7 (2.5)
90.3 (159) 12.4 (2.6)
88.9 (169) 13.3 (1.9)
0.8 8.4
75.4 (43) 14.0 (2.6)
76.1 (134) 12.3 (2.6)
64.7 (121) 13.4 (2.3)
6.4 8.5
89.5 (51) 14.1 (2.7)
80.7 (142) 12.8 (2.3)
85.3 (162) 13.8 (2.0)
2.9 7.9
89.3 85.7 44.6 76.8 52.6 13.0 24.1
76.9 69.1 36.8 58.6 45.2 11.7 18.1
76.9 67.7 36.6 59.6 45.9 10.3 23.9
(143) (128) (68) (107) (85) (19) (44)
4.4 7.1 1.3 7.5 1.0 0.4 2.0
(50) (48) (25) (43) (30) (7) (13)
(133) (121) (64) (102) (76) (19) (30)
65.9 (27) 50.0 (26)
56.5 (61) 68.8 (110)
45.0 (68) 65.2 (118)
7.0 6.1
43.4 (23) 61.1 (33)
56.4 (88) 54.3 (89)
47.1 (81) 44.3 (81)
4.0 6.2
p < .05; p < .001. Up to 5 participants with missing data on one or more variables.
DISCUSSION This study provides an overview of alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors among Ethiopian school drop outs; however, several limitations affect the ability to generalize the findings. Data were based on self-reports of youth at the intake stage for treatment. Adolescents, especially those referred to a residential treatment facility, can be suspicious about information gathering and may provide arbitrary or inconsistent responses (Hawke, Hennen, & Gallione, 2005). Also, the possibility of underreporting alcohol use exists with self-report. However, the high rates of alcohol use and related problem behavior among Ethiopian youth point to the need for greater ethno-cultural specific prevention and intervention efforts.
Ethiopian Origin High-Risk Youth
183
CONCLUSION
Downloaded by [University of Newcastle, Australia] at 09:54 30 December 2014
Given the paucity of literature on alcohol use among school dropouts, particularly those of Ethiopian origin, this article contributes to the understanding of a segment of society that is neither well understood nor adequately addressed in terms of education, employment, and health and social services. Further research is needed to validate the current study findings so such information may be useful for policy and services, as well as for training practitioners who are addressing the needs of youth of Ethiopian origin.
REFERENCES Bonnie, R. J., & O’Connell, M. E. (Eds.), (2004). Reducing underage drinking: A collective responsibility. Committee on Developing a Strategy to Reduce and Prevent Underage Drinking, Board on Children, Youth and Families, National Research Council, Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences. Buckard, C. (2001). Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Tel-Aviv, Israel: Heinrich-Boell Foundation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Morbidity and mortality weekly report: Youth risk behavior surveillance–United States, 2011. Surveillance Summaries. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ ss6104a1.htm Hawke, J. M., Hennen, J., & Gallione, P. (2005). Correlates of therapeutic involvement among adolescents in residential drug treatment. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 31, 163–177. Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. (2014). Statistical abstract of Israel 2013. Retrieved from http://cbs.gov.il/reader/shnatonenew_site.htm Isralowitz, R., & Rawson, R. (2006). Gender differences in prevalence of drug use among high risk adolescents in Israel. Addictive Behaviors, 31, 355–358. Isralowitz, R., & Reznik, A. (2006). Brief report: Binge drinking among high risk male and female adolescents in Israel. Journal of Adolescence, 29, 845–849. Isralowitz, R. E., & Reznik, A. (2007). Former Soviet Union immigrant and nativeborn adolescents in Israel: Substance use and related problem behavior. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 6, 131–138. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2012). Prevalence of underage drinking. Retrieved from http://www.camy.org/factsheets/sheets/prevalence_ of_underage_drinking.html Johnston, L., O’Malley, P., Bachman, J., & Schulenberg, J. (2012). Monitoring the Future: National Results on Adolescent Drug Use, Overview of Key Findings 2011. Retrieved from http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/pubs/monographs/ mtf-overview2011.pdf Kahan-Strawczynski, P., Ben Simon, B., & Konstantinov, V. (2013). The characteristics and needs of youth in youth rehabilitation service programs (executive summary). Jerusalem: JDC–Brookdale Institute. Kashti, O. (2010). Student dropout rate jumps by nearly 40 percent. Haaretz, June 17.
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