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Wealth and Drugs

No doubt the link between poverty and drug use has had its fair share of media attention. After all, when you think of a junkie, do you think of a polished looking kid in designer jeans or a minority youth from a background of extreme poverty? The stereotype prevails.

A brief scan of the research that has been conducted in various developed countries, however, reveals a strong correlation between wealth and drug use. In the UK, for instance, study of more than 10,000 15- and 16-year-olds concluded that those who received the most money from their parents were more likely to binge drink.

Closer to home, The Australian National Council on Drugs, found that students with more than $60 a week in disposable income were twice as likely to have used drugs as those with $20 or less to spend.

Interestingly, the researchers of the study concluded that this was “simply because they can afford it.” Is that all there is to it? 

Surely there are a host of factors at play; disposable income, disconnected families, and pressure to succeed just to name a few…?? If parents stop funneling more than $60 a week to their offspring, will the problem really go away?

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6 Comments

Daniel

almost 2 years ago

That was one of the most interesting and informative blogs I'v read and it completely changed my view on "Drug Users".

panda

almost 2 years ago

If parents are giving their kids $60.00 a week, they are already disconnected and probably trying to buy their children's love with money. Will the problem go away if they stop funneling money? I do not think so, but it is worth a try.

Sarah

almost 2 years ago

There seem to be two extremes of drug use, one of poverty and one of wealth. The people in the middle (myself included) are less likely to be driven to drugs by desperation or by luxury. Probably if rich kids got less money from their parents, they would not have the means to get hard drugs, but the possible boredom and angst in their lives would remain. They may need an alternative outlet or solution? makes me wonder how much drugs have to do with age and stages of life?.

Liyana

almost 2 years ago

It's an interesting distinction. These are two very different drug  user profiles, with varying drivers: the rich kid using drugs as a show of wealth (or perhaps boredom, and whatever else) compared to the junkie on the street.
Parents can minimise their kid's allowance,  but this is probably not hitting the core of the issue - the money is just a means to an end.

nellie

almost 2 years ago

Isn't it common sense that wealthy people use drugs too?
Yes- there is a stereotypical image of a drug user- the image usually consists of someone suffering from impoverished conditions, they are usually homeless, and they usually are dirty and smelly.  But, people need to get real about this! All different types of people use drugs- those who are rich, those who are poor, those who live in mansions, those who live on the street, public school kids, private school kids, the unemployed, and the businessmen! Drug use is a widespread societal issue, and affects all different types of societal groups. 

Furthermore, those who are wealthy are able to fund their drug addictions.  It is much easier for a wealthy person to fund an addiction, than it is for an individual suffering from poverty.  This is common sense, and adds more fuel to the suggestion that there is a strong correlation between wealth and drug use.



elif

over 1 year ago

I dont think the problem will change if these young people got less money . I think as you have stated in the article , we need to look at why are they buying drugs - is it family breakdown , parents neglacting their kids , abuse , bullying at school , peer pressure  . I think once these problems are solved there will be no need for these young people to use drugs no matter how much money or less money they get or earn in a week.

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