In 2002 and 2003, 16.1 percent of the youths in America were Hispanic; 77.8 percent of these Hispanic youths were born in the United States. Overall, Hispanic youths aged 12 to 17 years were less likely to report past month alcohol or illicit drug use than were their non-Hispanic peers. Data from 2002 and 2003 indicated that 16.4 percent of Hispanic youths reported using alcohol during the past month compared with 17.9 percent of non-Hispanic youths. Similarly, 10.8 percent of Hispanic youths reported past month illicit drug use compared with 11.6 percent of non-Hispanic youths. Male and female Hispanic youths did not differ in their past month use of alcohol or illicit drugs. Figures, endnotes