DADI.org

Gay Pride?
On Parade

Studies show homosexual men are more likely to take recreational drugs

By Danielle Demetriou

10 November 2003
http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story=55123

Young gay men are more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to take recreational drugs, the findings of two studies show.

Almost one in three men questioned in the first survey took illegal substances such as ecstasy, marijuana or cocaine at least once a week. A further two-thirds had used drugs during the previous six months while lifetime use of cocaine was nearly double the level among heterosexuals.

The report, published in the American Journal of Public Health, was based on a four-year study of the lifestyles of 3,492 American men aged between 15 and 22 who had sex with other men.

The men most at risk from substance abuse were described by the report as "white, self-identified as bisexual or heterosexual, had run away or had experienced forced sex".

It concluded: "Effective drug prevention and treatment programmes ... are urgently needed for young men who have sex with men, a population with a high rate of illicit drug use."

The findings were echoed in a report published by Mind, the mental health charity, which confirmed that the trend of high levels of recreational drug use among homosexuals was replicated in Britain.

The report, which examined the mental health and social well-being of more than 2,200 gay men, lesbians, heterosexuals and bisexuals in England and Wales, found that levels of substance abuse peaked among gay men and lesbians.

The report said: "Levels of substance-use disorders were higher among gay men and lesbians, who were more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to have used recreational drugs."

The findings of the two studies were consistent with the "hedonistic" lifestyle commonly associated with the gay social scene, David Allison, spokesman for the gay rights organisation Outrage! said. "The gay scene has always been linked with clubbing and drugs have always been available," he said. "A lot of young gay people start clubbing on Friday and carry on until Monday morning. The need to do something like drugs is spurred on by the existence of hedonistic gay bars and nightclubs."

As well as the social environment, drug-taking may be linked to the fact that young gay people are frequently under more pressure in terms of their sexuality than their heterosexual counterparts, Mr Allison said.

"I think it's fair to say that most young gay people are under a lot more pressure than your average straight person and taking drugs will be a form of escapism."

Back to DA*DI's Home