Why are White teens more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs?

Question

According to a New York City Department of Health study, White teens are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs than minority teens. 28% of White kids binge drink, as opposed to 18% of Latino teens and only 8% of Black youth. 43% of White teenagers have used drugs, but only 37% of Black kids and 34% of Latino young people.

Why is alcohol and drug abuse so much more common among White teenagers?

And, since Whites are more likely to abuse drugs, how come Blacks and Latinos are so much more likely to get arrested for drugs?

It's really funny how some White folks, who will believe anything negative about Blacks and Latinos, refuse to believe anything negative about their own race - even if it's a fact verified by a government agency! Incidentally, the NYC Health Dept is run by a White man, Dr Thomas Frieden!

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/home/home.shtml

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2007/pr019-07.shtml

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release # 019-07
Tuesday, March 20, 2007

CONTACT INFORMATION
NYC. Dept of Health and Mental Hygiene
[phone]
Andrew Tucker ([e-mail])

NYC. Department of Education
[phone]
Margie Feinberg ([e-mail])




DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH AND EDUCATION PRESENT FINDINGS ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE AMONG NYC YOUTH



Drug and Alcohol Use among NYC Youth is Less than National Average and Declining, but Still Concerning
White Youth Binge Drink Significantly More than Black or Hispanic Students



NEW YORK CITY – March 20, 2007 – A survey of New York City public high school students shows that teens were less likely to drink or use other drugs in 2005 than in 2001. One in three youth (35%) in New York City reported drinking alcohol in the past month in 2005, compared to 41% in 2001. Additionally, in 2005 approximately 12% of public high school students reported recently using marijuana

down by about a third since 2001. The results are based on the 2005 NYC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a survey conducted every two years by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and Department of Education (DOE). While this decline is good news, too many teens are using drugs and alcohol, leading to avoidable hospitalizations and deaths. A report on the findings is available at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/survey/survey-2007subsAbuse.pdf.

"New York City kids are getting smarter," said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden. “There are a third fewer youth smoking today than in 2001; this is important because teens who smoke are more than twice as likely to try alcohol and other drugs. Parents should set clear rules against drinking, smoking, and using drugs, and talk honestly to their children about the dangers of substance use. If parents suspect their child is drinking or using drugs, there are counseling resources available through doctors and schools

to help address the problem."

"Alcohol and other drug use can impair judgment and lead to poor decisions, such as engaging in unprotected sex," Dr. Frieden said. "This can lead to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections."

"It is great news that fewer public high school students today drink or use drugs," said Chancellor Klein. "Students, parents, and families should know that their schools are a safe and appropriate place to ask questions about drugs and alcohol, and to get information, resources, and support for themselves or loved ones who may need assistance."

Other Key Findings

NYC youth binge drink half as much as the national average (14% vs. 26%).
White youth report more binge drinking in the past month (28%) than black (8%) or Hispanic (18%) youth.
Youth in NYC are less likely than youth nationwide to use marijuana (28% vs. 38%), inhalants (9% vs. 12%), ecstasy (4% vs. 6%), cocaine (4% vs. 8%), or methamphetamines (2% vs. 6%).
Similar to the

national average, about one in four students were younger than 13 when they tried drinking for the first time.

Report Recommendations

Schools continue to strictly enforce no-substance use policies and promote anti-substance use messages

Enforcement of policies and promotion of anti-substance use messages during the school day and in after-school activities is critical for students in all grades, teachers and other staff.
Educators are advised to target evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs and messages to groups with the highest usage rates, as well as areas with the largest youth substance users.
Schools can help smokers, and students, parents, and staff who use other substances, to quit – including referring students to mental health providers when appropriate.

Parents Make a Difference

Parents can take an active, healthy interest in their children. Ask them where they are, what they are doing, and whom they are with.
Parents can talk honestly about the downside of substance use: car crashes and injuries; legal problems; money problems; bad grades; losing out on sports, jobs, and college; feeling bad; and looking bad.
Parents are advised to set clear house rules against alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. A "zero-tolerance" policy is easiest to enforce.
Parents are advised to set a good example by establishing a smoke-free home; if you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation, and don’t use drugs even if you think your kids don’t know (they usually do).
Parents can also help children find ways to avoid or get out of situations where they feel pushed to drink or use drugs.

Tips for Parents who Suspect a Young Person is Using Drugs or Alcohol

Talk honestly with your teen and share your concern, but be careful about how you react.
Be calm, even if you’re angry or upset.
Ask direct questions about alcohol and drugs. If you have evidence, say so.
Sometimes a serious discussion is enough but, if not, consider getting advice from your family doctor or a counselor.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey
This information is based on results of the 2005 New York City Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire adapted for New York City from protocols developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, the survey is conducted in both public and private schools. In New York City, the survey has been conducted in public schools every two years since 1997. From 1997 to 2001 the survey was conducted by DOE; since 2003, it has been conducted jointly by DOHMH and DOE.

For more information on tobacco cessation and how to get help stop using drugs, alcohol or smoking, call 3-1-1 or visit nyc.gov/health.


###

Answer 1

White people are SO defensive when the tables are turned, but when it's one of the SLEW of surveys highlighting the downfalls of minorities -- these arguments about the validity of surveys are never made. Funny stuff indeed! I am a very versatile young African American male. I have lived in the suburbs, and I have lived 'other places'. I can say in my personal experiences, my white friends BY FAR do more drugs and alcohol than friends of other races. They know it to be true, and could care less. The argument about finances and economics is ridiculous! I have friends -- both white and black -- that attain drugs easily without much money if any. I thought it was common knowledge that drugs don't possess any economical, racial, or social boundaries. I guess not because most of you people are severely ill-informed. Save the BS people!

Answer 2

Remember: The statistics you site are for the NYC area, not national statistics. The national data on this topic is rather mixed and complicated. For instance, Americans of Cuban decent are much less likely to abuse drugs than Puerto Ricans. Taken individually, there are interesting sociological questions in this particular statistic - questions that might not come to the fore when "Hispanics" are statistically lumped together. There are gender gaps in drug abuse statistics, as well. Nationally, the ethnic group with the highest rate of substance abuse is the Native American population. A survey consisting only of NYC data would miss this entirely.
For a really exhaustive database of this statistical data please take a look at the following site:

http://www.drugabusestatistics.samhsa.gov/

Answer 3

White is vastly approaching the new "minority" in America. The rights are being expelled from low income white because of their race. Government sees they have more of a chance than any other race so they are excluded from help. They are raised with the belief they have to be smarter, stronger and faster because there are no alternatives. There isn't anyone who will give them food stamps if they cannot feed their families. The government did not give them 10 grand for being a citizen. The rights of the white man have been severely compromised to the point where they are now the minority of the American population, without the legal benefits to such a claim. Wouldn't you drink?

Answer 4

I find that very hard to believe. I'm not fond of survey's anyhow. Who completed the survey questions? Who was honest in their answers? Who was it presented to?Where did they gather their data? Are they going by how many "white" folks appeared at the NYCDept. of HEalth? What about those that did not go to the Dept of Health and were minority? What is the age group of those questioned? We do know that there are more financial access for white children in NYC, and much more poverty among other races... so perhaps if it is true statistics it is due to financial access to drugs? Was this calculated from those that have sought treatment? If so, I do believe those in poverty have less opportunities for treatment than say someone with a more financial background. That in itself could throw the numbers way off. I personally do not put much faith in surveys. Too many possible alternatives that are missed when surveying. Just my thoughts.

Answer 5

At first I thought you seriouslly studying something, this is just some kind of rant. But its possible that whites do not drink so much in public and travel when drunk or high. I know its stylish to have racist images in your head that whites have secret handshakes and things but I don't know any cops who give a crap what race people are, if you're drunk or high you are getting tossed. Sorry, I know you are hoping for some good old fashioned American hate talk but it is no more sinister than white kids tend to live in burbs and rural areas and is easier to drink at someone's house or some remote location than to travel around or to stand on the street and drink or get high so they are much less likely to be seen by random patrol units.
ADD: Now that I have read the answers and your add on I see this is just a racist rant. What is modern about race relations is that blacks are the great racists and there are just a few klanner crackers running around who are always shouted down by other whites. Here is a stat, 78% of all blacks are racist toward whites, Jews, Koreans, Asians and other blacks (most crime against black is black on black, black on white crime is higher percentage than white on black even though whites are larger group). So there you go racist, smoke those. And that comes from the Office of Civil Rights, and that agency is run by a black man. See how stupid you sound?

Answer 6

I searched web......drugs+alcohol+teens+New York City.
Where is source of your info?
A link?????
Maybe white kids are more inclined to answer the poll in the first place.
Why more Blacks and Latinos arrested?
I will tell you what you want to hear.
Cause New York City admin is a bunch of racist crackers.

But how strongly can you feel about issue when you don't even go through the trouble to provide a link??

Answer 7

You American people are funny.

I'm not an American. And let me tell you what people outside Amercia think (yes, there are people outside America. And it's not just Iraqis!).

Most American teens smoke weeds and drink themselves to "highness" - regardless of race. As long as you're an American teen, I won't be surprised if you tell me you've had a share of weeds, pots, meth, whatever else.......

You don't see such trends anywhere in most other developed countries.

Answer 8

maybe we just like to get messed up... i do on ocassion, and last time i checked i was white...the reason for all of it is racisim. white cops go after latinos and blacks cause they are jealous of culture... us white folk dont really have much culture... just a history of stealing other cultures... funny that we are almost the minority now... scew it man im neutral... i like everyone.

Answer 9

Money. The white kids have more money and have access to the drugs/alcohol without having to go out and rob anyone for it. The white kids don't need to pool resources in a gang either.

It comes down to poverty.

Answer 10

i know about US society a little bit.

about number survey of your abuse alcohol and durgs,

i think
in US society , white people is the most people.
so answer's man are white more than others.

and sometime
because Cultural of Ethic too