Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Introduction: Through sensationalistic accounts in the media, African Americans (AA) have been linked to drug use, prostitution, and criminal activities (Reinarman & Levine, 1997). AA overrepresentation in the correctional system feed this assumption by seemingly indicating that AA commit more crime than Caucasians. Yet, criminal activity derived from arrest data offers a distorted picture. Institutional bias within policing and the criminal justice system have often been attributed to significantly inflate rates of AA confinement. In contrast, other studies have indicated that SES is a more important predictor of drug use and abuse than racial/ethnic differences. Regardless, the double burden of poverty and racism has contributed to the assumption of high drug use rates among poor AA. The purpose of this study is then to test this assumption by examining drug abuse and dependence prevalence among impoverished AA utilizing data from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). This study compares impoverished AA rates of drug use and dependence prevalence across racial groups. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using the NSDUH (2005), comprising a nationally representative random sample of 70,000 Americans aged 12 years or older. The NSDUH is designed to produce drug and alcohol use incidence and prevalence estimates in the U.S. NSDUH uses a multitude of substance use measures including alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs. The current study included a sub-sample of NSDHU (N=20,172) consisting of all participants earning less than $30,000. The sample consisted of 51.9% White; 20.5% Hispanic; 8.1% Native American, Pacific Islander, or Asian; and 19.5% AA. Slightly over half were females. Most participants reported annual family incomes between $10,000 to $19,000 (36.5%). Results: Logistic regression analyses examined the impact of race on substance abuse and dependence controlling for age and gender. Results show that race is a significant predictor of: 1) alcohol abuse (X2= 82.275 (3), p <.001) and dependence ( X2 = 27.074 (3), p<.001); 2) marijuana dependence (X2 = 35.197 (3), p<.001); and 3) illicit drug use except marijuana dependence. Specifically, White (OR= 2.008, p<.001); Hispanic (OR= 1.291, p< .02); and other races (Other) (OR= 1.561, p< .001) had significantly higher use of alcohol consumption compared to AAs. White (OR= 1.494, p<.001) and Other (OR= 1.418, p<.009) were more likely to be dependent on alcohol than AA. Finally AA and Hispanics had lower rates of illicit drug and nicotine use compared to Whites and Others. Implications: The results reveal that the assumption of high drug use and abuse rates among AA should be, at best, re-examined. Findings indicate that AA use and abuse drugs less than any other racial/ethnic group that is similarly impoverished despite unemployment, lack of access to healthcare, and discrimination. This has significant implications for both policy and social work practice as it breaks down normalized and biased assumptions of AA drug use. Social workers may then use this knowledge to develop policy, advocacy, and strength-based community programs servicing AA populations.