Substance abuse linked to discrimination

Published: Aug. 20, 2007 at 5:49 PM

NEW YORK, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- A team of U.S. researchers found African-Americans experiencing racial discrimination are more likely to report tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine use.

Researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health with colleagues at the Universities of Minnesota, Alabama at Birmingham, California at San Francisco and Harvard University found similar results when whites reported discrimination -- although 38 percent of whites report discrimination, compared to 89 percent of African-Americans.

The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, also found African-Americans experiencing racial discrimination had more education, higher income, and a stronger social network than those reporting no racial discrimination. In contrast to African-Americans, whites reporting racial discrimination reported less education and lower income than did those who reported none.

"It is possible that use of a recreational drug helps to cope with life stress resulting from perceived unfair treatment because of one’s race/ethnicity," study leader Dr.Luisa Borrell of the Mailman School of Public Health said in a statement.

© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Crude oil climbs toward $80 per barrel (2 min)
U.S. markets edge up Wednesday (5 min)
'Optical biopsy' for breast cancer tested (12 min)
Music good for the heart, relieves stress (30 min)
Florida man thought priest was terrorist (59 min)
Verizon Florida to pay $2M settlement
Prof: Seven types of recession employees
fark
San Franciscio Fark / Mentally Incontinent joint book signing and Fark Party, Thursday Nov 12 7pm...
Not news: four muggers rob man. News: the man is an Army reservist. Fark: they return his wallet,...
On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month the guns fell silent. Thanks to all the men...
Okay then, your request to leave Scientology has been approved, all that remains is for you to claim...
PROTIP: If you're trying to lure cats out of hiding, don't use a lighter. It can only end one of...
Some new fathers pass out cigars after the birth of their newborn. Others gather up the placenta...