iMedPub Journals http://www.imedpub.com Journal of Drug Abuse 2471-853X 2016 Vol. 2 No. 3: 24 Research Article © Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License | This article is available in: htp://drugabuse.imedpub.com/archive.php 1 DOI: 10.21767/2471-853X.100033 Hikmet J Jamil 1,2 , Ayesha Niazy 2 , Mada H Jamil 3 and Bengt B Arnetz 1,4 1 Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA 2 Research assistant, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Michigan, USA 3 St. John Providence Physician Network, Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA 4 Departments of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden Corresponding author: Hikmet J Jamil  Hikmet.jamil@hc.msu.edu Hikmet Jamil, MD, PhD, FFOM.I., FPH, Professor, Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University 7375 Woodward, Suite 1520/ Detroit, MI 48202, USA. Tel: (313) 309-164 Fax: (313) 309-1676 Citation: Jamil HJ, Niazy A, Jamil MH, et al. Substance Abuse amongst Middle Eastern Community in Metro Detroit, Michigan, US. J Drug Abuse. 2016, 2:3. Introducton Substance abuse in this study includes alcohol, illicit drugs, sedatves, amphetamines and street drugs, which is one of the most costly burdens to our healthcare system, with costs up to $400 billion [1]. Michigan has the largest number of Arab populaton in the whole country, including Chaldeans [2]. The number of Iraqi (Arab and non-Arab) Americans in USA is over 102000 [3]. Even though Arabs comprise 0.52% of the USA populaton [3] very litle is known about the prevalence and risk factors of substance abuse Middle Eastern populaton of metro Detroit [4]. Currently, in the USA the most common addictons are as follows: alcohol with 18 million users, and marijuana 14 million, painkillers 1.8 million [5]. These numbers show us the high prevalence of addictons in the USA. In Michigan, statstcs show us 10.7% of the populaton over 12 years of age reported use of illicit drugs; this excluding alcohol use. Alcohol, which is consumed by 60% of Michigan residents [6]. If we go further down the branch to Arab Americans in Michigan only, which we are focusing on in our study, their prevalence of alcohol use is 45.6% [7]. In Detroit alone, Arab Americans of Iraqi origin reported alcohol use in 13.4% [7]. Marijuana (as one of the street drugs) use is 1.5% in immigrant Arab American populaton, and prescripton drug use 0.6% in the same group [8]. There is currently not sufcient literature regarding amphetamines use in Arab Americans. Abstract Background: Substance abuse is a global endemic costng billions. Its impact on healthcare is unparalleled, hence assessing risk factors and prevalence is necessary. The study objectve was to review substance abuse amongst Middle Eastern community in Metro Detroit, Michigan US. Methods: A random sample (n=337) of Iraqi (Arab vs. Chaldean) who were residents in metro Detroit area were studied. The substance abuses studied were alcohol, amphetamine, sedatve and street drugs. Chi-square test, Binary logistc regression and linear regression analysis were used. Results: Study results concluded that there was signifcant diference in the prevalence of substance abuse in the two groups, with Chaldeans having higher ‘all substance abuse’ prevalence. On further analysis, Chaldeans had a higher prevalence in alcohol (51%), whereas Arabs had more street drug use (9.8%) (p<0.001). Being a male, Chaldean, and having depression are a risk factor predictor for combined substance abuse. Depression was the common risk factor predictor for all combined substance, sedatve and street drug use. Risk factor predictors for excellent health were among Chaldean, young, and those who do not report symptoms of depression. Employed and those who have stayed in the USA for a long tme. Amongst the users, Arabs had a higher prevalence of hypertension, headache, amnesia, muscles or tendons conditons, and depression (p<0.005). Conclusion: There was signifcant diference between Arab and Chaldean in prevalence of substance abuse. Chaldeans had more alcohol usage, whereas Arabs had more street drug use. Individuals with depression and of Chaldean ethnicity have a high risk factor for combined substance–especially alcohol. Keywords: Alcohol; Street drugs; Amphetamine; Arab; Chaldean; Immigrant Received: September 08, 2016; Accepted: September 26, 2016; Published: October 03, 2016 Substance Abuse amongst Middle Eastern Community in Metro Detroit, Michigan, USA