A study found that adolescents exposed to community violence are more likely to report personal substance abuse. The 3,380 adolescents, ages 14-17, were from Antwerp, Belgium, Arkangelsk, Russia, and New Haven, Connecticut.
"Community violence" was defined as witnessing violence or being the victim of a violent act. The substances of abuse were cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and heroin.
In all three countries, the more the exposure to violence, the greater the risk of substance abuse. Although the relationship existed for American youths, it wasn't as strong as in the other two countries.
This study adds more evidence supporting a relationship between exposure to violence and severe physical and psychosocial health problems. This phenomenon is worldwide. More research is needed to determine why this happens and what can be done about it.
Pediatrics, 3/03, pp. 535-40.
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