This article presents a significant research process with essential findings concerning the consistent prevalence of heroin among Puerto Ricans. The qualitative study integrates focus groups as the main procedure for gathering information. This research process reveals that Puerto Ricans suffering from substance abuse depict close similarities in their social backgrounds (Senreich, 2018). Aspects such as unemployment, discrimination, and denial of opportunities in public institutions result in persistently high rates of heroin use. The findings obtained from the focus groups can be helpful in evidence-based practice (EBP) among social workers (Cano, 2020). For instance, the knowledge acquired can help implement practical solutions against the vice among identified victims. In this case, social workers’ knowledge concerning diagnosis and treatment improves, indicating competence among social workers (Senreich, 2018). Most importantly, the article’s integration in EBP is critical for controlling negative social attributes that contribute to the high prevalence of substance abuse among Puerto Ricans.
Several benefits exist from using the qualitative method identified in the article. The researcher’s purpose was to identify the causes of the prevalent use of heroin among a selected group of participants. The researchers save costs and time by implementing effective data gathering approaches (Senreich, 2018). In this case, the article integrated focus groups, including Puerto Ricans engaging in substance abuse and counselors. Participants and research officials engaged informal meetings aimed at identifying inherent reasons supporting substance abuse among minority populations (Cano, 2020). A qualitative method is also beneficial as it is flexible and open-ended. It implies that the procedure used to collect, analyze, and interpret data can present significant findings not expected (Senreich, 2018). In this case, the data gathering process allowed the researchers to integrate attitudes and behavioral attributes contributing to substance abuse among Puerto Ricans.
An objective research study integrates both qualitative and quantitative methods for accurate and relevant findings. In this article, a quantitative approach would have complemented the qualitative method used in identifying high rates of heroin use among Puerto Ricans. For instance, identifying the affected category of the population using the drugs would help develop practical conclusions and recommendations (Senreich, 2018). The article notes that most substance abusers are dropout teenagers and young adults facing unemployment, discrimination, and systemic marginalization. Additionally, qualitative data regarding the total number of individuals engaging in heroin use would help develop social solutions to immoral practices (Cano, 2020). For instance, educational initiatives intended to improve access to academic institutions by minorities would require numerical statistics (Senreich, 2018). Most importantly, the quantitative approach would also complement the qualitative method’s findings by measuring the impact of findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
References
Cano, M. (2020). English use/proficiency, ethnic discrimination, and alcohol use disorder in Hispanic immigrants. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 1-10.
Senreich, E. (2018). The persistent high rates of heroin use among the Puerto Rican population in the United States: A qualitative study. Social Work in Public Health, 33(7-8), 419-438.