The aim of this project is to assess differences in consumption norms of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana (ACM) among Latino students in the Southwest and to determine whether immigrant adaptation varies by generation status and gender. Using wave I longitudinal data obtained from a randomized trial of a culturally-grounded drug prevention program, this study examines the differences in consumption norms of ACM among foreign-born, second-generation and third-generation fifth-grade students of Mexican heritage using Bourdieu's concepts of habitus, field and capital. Some auxiliary objectives of this study are: (a) to develop a conceptual model of immigrant adaptation by examining the limitations of acculturation and assimilation frameworks; (b) to assess the risk and protective factors among the foreign-born, second and third-generation students of Mexican heritage using Bourdieu's framework of cultural capital; (c) and to propose an alternate conceptualization in understanding immigrant adaptation related to drug use norms.

Results indicate that both ethnic identity and language use, which were used to gauge cultural and linguistic capital, are significant predictors of consumption norms of ACM even after controlling for the effects of age, grades, socio-economic status (SES) and family structure. Both ethnic identity and language differentially affect fifth-grade students. Ethnic identity varies considerably among boys and girls and has ‘protective effect’ for girls. Similarly, English language use with family seems to put foreign-born fifth-grade students at risk of developing a pro-drug orientation.