Race or racism? Addiction in the United States

Data are presented contrasting racial and ethnic differences in the use of alcohol and other drugs, and in the morbidity and mortality consequent to substance abuse and dependence. In a review of recent studies, whites were found to have higher rates of use, abuse, and dependence than other racial and ethnic groups, despite the common perception that substance abuse is a "minority problem." Epidemiologists are challenged to use appropriate methodologies to study this discrepancy and delineate the roles of both race and racism in addiction.