Fentanyl and the Latino Community: A Growing Crisis

As a Latina, I’ve witnessed firsthand how drug addiction has quietly made its way into the lives of individuals and families, particularly the abuse of fentanyl in my community. For many Hispanic/ Latinos living in the U.S., addiction is a reality we confront every day. A recent shift in the demographic patterns of the opioid crisis has resulted in a rise in overdose deaths within the Latino population (Harris & Mandell, 2023; Romero et al., 2023). By 2021, Latino individuals experienced an increase in overdose mortality, reaching 21.7 per 100,000 people, reflecting a 288% rise from 2010 (Romero et al., 2023). This disturbing growth highlights the daily challenges families, including mine, encounter as they battle the stigma of substance use, the hesitation to seek help, and the overwhelming sense of helplessness as loved ones become more entrenched in the vicious cycle of addiction. The growth of the Latino population, one of the fastest-growing minority groups in the U.S., emphasizes the urgent need for tailored resources and support to meet their unique needs.

Why is the Latino Community at risk?

Latinos encounter a unique mix of cultural, systemic, and socioeconomic barriers that increase their risk of fentanyl addiction and overdose (Luna et al., 2024). Although this problem has impacted communities across the U.S., it is especially alarming for Latinos due to the specific factors that shape their experience with substance use and recovery.

Cultural and Societal Challenges

Cultural influences play a critical role in how Latinos understand and approach mental health and substance use issues. Familismso, which focuses on strong family and community ties, often leads individuals to addiction being handled privately within the family first, before seeking external help (Moyce et al., 2022). Similarly, Machismo, the cultural concept linked with strength in men, further adds another layer of complexity such that addiction can be viewed as a sign of weakness, which prevents them from seeking help (Pineros-Leano et al., 2017). Further, faith and spirituality are often central for Latinos in coping with emotional distress, with many turning only to religious practices rather than seeking professional care (Forcén et al., 2023). Despite increased awareness of mental health, the stigma and shame regarding addiction persist. This not only discourages individuals from seeking help but also worsens the underdiagnosis and underuse of behavioral health services (Forcén et al., 2023). Therefore, many Latinos continue to suffer in silence.

Systemic Barriers: Language, Immigration Stress, and Healthcare Access

Beyond cultural considerations, practical barriers such as language and healthcare access present significant challenges for Latinos seeking treatment. For many, language barriers and a lack of Spanish-speaking and culturally sensitive providers make navigating the healthcare system more difficult, preventing Latino individuals from fully communicating their needs, struggles, and understanding of options accessible to them (Harris & Mandell, 2023).

Additionally, systemic issues like immigration status, lack of healthcare insurance, and financial limitations prevent access to treatment (Harris & Mandell, 2023). Undocumented immigrants, in particular, are more vulnerable due to constant fear of detection and deportation (Harris & Mandell, 2023). The stress of moving through an unfamiliar legal system, coupled with pre-migration and post-migration trauma, heightens their risk of substance use and mental health issues (Ornelas et al., 2020).

Support Strategies for Enhancing Harm Reduction

Considering the unique challenges the Latino community faces in combating fentanyl abuse, harm reduction efforts must be culturally sensitive and tailored to meet their needs. These approaches aim to prevent substance use and lessen the harm associated with it, like poisoning and overdose deaths, through accessible, non-judgmental, and community-driven interventions. Harris & Mandell (2023) and Luna et al. (2024) highlight that effective harm reduction strategies must account for the cultural, social, and systemic influences impacting the Latino community:

Culturally Sensitive Psychoeducation

• Psychoeducation on the signs of drug addiction, risk of fentanyl, and life-saving tools like Naloxone and fentanyl test strips can help reduce stigma and empower Latino individuals to act proactively. Using culturally sensitive messaging and increasing language accessibility with Spanish materials can promote awareness and informed decision-making, reducing the stigma and shame associated with seeking help.

Faith-Based and Peer Support:

• Engaging faith communities and peer support programs is pivotal for Latino individuals seeking harm reduction resources. Faith leaders, who are highly valued within the community, can provide spiritual guidance, mentorship, and emotional support when directing people toward treatment options and professional help. Additionally, peer-led programs facilitated by individuals with similar cultural and lived experiences help build rapport and ensure a non-judgmental environment where individuals can safely and freely access resources like naloxone and fentanyl testing kits without fear of stigma.

‍‍**Please note: This post is for educational purposes only. This post does not constitute medical advice and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and readers are advised to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or conditions. The views expressed may not reflect those of all healthcare professionals

References

Escobedo, L. E., Cervantes, L., & Havranek, E. (2023). Barriers in healthcare for Latinx patients with limited english proficiency—a narrative review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 38(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-022-07995-3

Forcén, F. E., Flórez, M. C. V., Medina, R. B., Zambrano, J., Pérez, J. H., Rodríguez, A. M., & Santos, L. H. (2023). Deconstructing cultural aspects of mental health care in Hispanic/Latinx people. Psychiatric Annals, 53(3), 127–132. https://doi.org/10.3928/00485713-20230215-02

Harris, R. A., & Mandell, D. S. (2023). Years of life lost to drug overdose in the Latinx community during the most recent wave of overdose deaths. The American Journal on Addictions, 32(6), 610–614. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.13459

Luna, G., Dermid, G., & Unger, J. B. (2024). Fentanyl harm reduction strategies among Latinx communities in the United States: A scoping review. Harm Reduction Journal, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-01070-2

Moyce, S., Thompson, S., Metcalf, M., Velazquez, M., Aghbashian, E., Sisson, N., & Claudio, D. (2022). Rural hispanic perceptions of mental health: A qualitative study. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 33(3), 104365962110705. https://doi.org/10.1177/10436596211070592

Ornelas, I. J., Yamanis, T. J., & Ruiz, R. A. (2020). The health of undocumented Latinx immigrants: What we know and future directions. Annual Review of Public Health, 41(1), 289–308. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094211

Pineros-Leano, M., Liechty, J. M., & Piedra, L. M. (2017). Latino immigrants, depressive symptoms, and cognitive behavioral therapy: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 208, 567–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.10.025

Romero, R., Friedman, J. R., Goodman-Meza, D., & Shover, C. L. (2023). US drug overdose mortality rose faster among hispanics than non-hispanics from 2010 to 2021. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109859

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020, July 31). The opioid crisis and the Hispanic/Latino population: An urgent issue . Samhsa.gov. https://library.samhsa.gov/product/opioid-crisis-and-hispaniclatino-population-urgent-issue/pep20-05-02-002