An effort by researchers to find out which cities have the biggest drug problems has led to a startling connection — drug abuse correlates with gambling.
A study conducted by Oregon State University and the University of Washington took the novel approach of testing wastewater for traces of methamphetamines. Researchers took samples from 10 unnamed cities and found those with casinos showed five times more drug use.
Chad Hills, gambling analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said that confirms a 2004 Department of Justice report.
“Approximately 60 percent of Las Vegas arrestees associated with gambling, ended up testing positive for at least one drug in their system," he told Family News in Focus.
Evelio Silvera, executive director of Casino Watch, said it should serve as a warning for communities that think casinos would solve their budget woes.
“What research like this does," he said, "is provide yet another common-sense, practical, tangible measure of what needs to be taken into consideration before you fall in love with all the supposed advantages of inviting a casino into your neighborhood.”
