A Massey University analysis of national health data suggests that gay, lesbian and bisexual people (GLBP) are significantly higher users of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs than the heterosexual population – and researchers now hope the Government will target GLBP with new health interventions. GLBP were only slightly more likely to use alcohol, however, while 42.7% of the gay, lesbian and bisexual group reported that they smoked tobacco regularly over the last year, this compared to only 27.7% of heterosexuals. Gays and lesbians were also more than twice as likely to have used Marijuana over the last year; nearly four times as likely to have used amphetamines on a regular basis in the previous 12 months; more than four times as likely to have used LSD over the last year; and more than three times as likely to have regularly used Ecstasy over the previous year. The disparity in rates of substance use were found by Massey University researchers analysing data from the New Zealand Health Behaviours Surveys, commissioned in recent years by the Ministry of Health. Lead researcher Frank Pega says this is the first comprehensive national evidence from a general population survey that differences do exist between the groups. “The implication of this research is that public health policy on substance use needs to address these health disparities by including also gay, lesbian and bisexual communities as priority populations,” he says. “The findings also highlight a need for health promotion initiatives and substance use interventions targeted specifically at gay, lesbian and bisexual populations to be established. “Other research has already established that gay, lesbian and bisexual peoples' substance use is related to their experience of discrimination and to social stress arising from this.” The researchers were also able to compare various sub-groups finding that disparities were particularly elevated for lesbian and bisexual women with regards to illicit drug use, and for gay and bisexual men with regards to alcohol and tobacco use. Maori gay, lesbian and bisexual people when compared with Maori heterosexuals and their non-Maori peers reported lower usage of alcohol but higher usage of tobacco and some illicit drugs. The Massey University report is on the link below. Ref: Massey University, Radio New Zealand National (m)