Latinos are now the largest minority in the United States and also display a greater need for alcohol and illicit drug treatment services than Whites and African-Americans. Previous research has indicated that Latinos and Native Americans have the highest rates of alcohol and illicit drug use in the Nation and that this trend begins during early adolescence. Following a description of the geographic distribution of the Latino population in the United States, the authors present research concerning the prevalence and consequences of substance use among Latinos. The factors that contribute to substance abuse among this population are likewise reviewed, including individual, family, peer group, cultural, and communal factors. The authors also offer a critical analysis of the drug prevention education and treatment programs that are designed to address the specific needs of Latino populations and discuss the role of social workers in the prevention of substance abuse, with a specific focus on the need for social workers to be aware of cultural differences between major Latino subgroups. Future research recommendations are offered and include an examination of the role of protective factors in the substance using behaviors of Latinos. Notes, references