FORUM TO ADDRESS FILIPINO ADDICTION

The Asian American Drug Abuse Program Will Discuss Findings From Local
Surveys And Offer Recommendations.

A steep rise in drug and alcohol abuse in the Filipino community has
prompted a local agency to step up outreach and treatment programs in areas
where many live, including Carson and other parts of the South Bay.

After conducting two substance abuse surveys, the Asian American Drug Abuse
Program Inc. is organizing a forum Tuesday night to discuss the findings
and future treatment programs targeted specifically at this ethnic group.

"It is very evident that the family and the home are deemed to be the
dominant channels of access, at least with respect to alcohol," said Carol
Almeda, who conducted the survey and helped organize the forum with the
Carson Regional Library.

The Asian American Drug Abuse Program contracts with Los Angeles County
Department of Health Services in providing treatment programs. They serve
the entire community, but focus on Asian-American substance abuse.

Very little research has been conducted on alcohol and drug addiction
specifically within the Filipino community, Almeda said. Counselors and
others who work in treatment have, however, seen an anecdotal rise in
people seeking treatment and problems arising from substance abuse.

In a 2007 survey of the Carson and Long Beach Filipino communities, nearly
three-quarters of respondents said they started drinking before the age of
21. The majority said their primary access to alcohol was at home, with the
family, the survey showed.

"Despite the facts attesting to early exposure and use of alcohol by
generations of Filipinos, there seems to be, likewise, a phenomenon of
non-recognition of alcoholism as a medical condition," according to the
report, which will be presented at Tuesday's forum.

In focus group discussions, participants described the cultural inclusion
of alcohol into religious, business and social functions.

"Try talking alcohol addiction (in the Philippines) and good luck if anyone
understands the concept," one participant said.

Drinking and other substance abuse have carried over to the United States,
particularly among young women, the survey concluded.

The liberation women have experienced in this country has afforded them
access to alcohol - in many cases for the first time, researchers found.

Based on the findings, new outreach programs will be designed to
incorporate the entire family - an important factor in treating addiction,
particularly for new immigrants, Almeda said.

Other ideas for future educational and treatment programs will be discussed
by Tuesday's panel.

In addition to Almeda, participants include two rehabilitation specialists,
two high school students who will share their experience in the Filipino
culture and the director of the county's Department of Health Services'
Alcohol and Drug Prevention program.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: The Asian American Drug Abuse Program Inc. is hosting a forum to
discuss its findings from two substance abuse surveys.

WHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Carson Regional Library, 151 E. Carson St.

MORE INFORMATION: Call 323-293-6284.