Posted on 11/09/2003 3:28:56 PM PST by Pokey78
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."
FMCDH
So people who are addicted to one type of self-destructive behavior are more likely to become addicted to another type of self-destructive behavior? Imagine that! What will they think of next?
I transferred to another school and finished my degree. I wrote my final paper on Reagan and Reykjavik and the professor was always trying to get em to read Strobe Talbot, as if he thought I was too stupid to realize who he was.
And to answer your question, I have some gay friends know alot about their lifestyle. Some of the older gays have settled down, but there is only one guy I know who is drug-free and mostly monogamous, and related to a Congresswoman and Alf Landon, the 1936 GOP nominee for president.
From the article: Young gay men are more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to take recreational drugs, the findings of two studies show.
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.
What we've already known and read in regards to the homosexual lifestyle continues to be supported by organizations the pro-gay folks cannot dismiss on grounds of bias.
Continuing from the article:
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."
From merriam-webster.com: Hedonistic: "the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life."
If it feels good, do it.
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