Country of birth and language spoken at home in relation to illicit substance use.

This study examines the association between country of birth, language spoken at home, and lifetime illicit substance use in a Canadian national sample.Secondary analysis of data was conducted using a sample of 8,656 persons who were between 15 and 54 years of age in 1994 and who participated in Canada's Alcohol and Other Drugs Survey.Rates of substance use differed among the four groups (42.6% for Canadian-born who spoke official languages, 33.8% for Canadian-born who spoke non-official languages, 35.2% for foreign-born who spoke official languages, and 11.1% for foreign-born who spoke non-official languages). The rate differences persisted after adjustment for sociodemographic factors, religiousness, friends' use of substances, and participation in social activities.More in-depth studies that include culture-specific information are required to explain the rate differences. In addition, alternative preventive strategies may be required to reduce substance use among foreign-born persons.