A drug is any substance other than food or water that, when ingested, alters the physiological structure of the body. By this definition, alcohol is a drug.

Is it right and moral that the one drug that kills more people every day (gay and straight) than any other substance, is perfectly legal to obtain?

Or is your question directed towards an understanding of what biological and evolutionary benefits could possibly be gained from the use of chemical substances–enough to justify the altering of one's emotions--concomitant with the risk of addiction that frequently accompanies so many of these endeavors?

The questions raised by your comment are too numerous to address here. Suffice it to say that it would be a mistake to label one segment of society as being more prone to addiction than any other. On that point, if it is gay people who experience drug use more often, I would venture to guess that the reason is perhaps the hatred, suspicion, and outright hostility towards an outcast society of people whom, after being persecuted for centuries around the globe and living a life without a deserved dignity, must share the blame for making uninformed choices to use these mood-altering substances.

Strictly speaking, Alcohol is not the cause of those deaths directly. To be precise, the reason for many Alcohol related deaths is a person's lack of awareness of their limits. Alcohol when consumed in reasonable quantities can be perfectly safe (generally speaking, of course there are those who can become drunk very easily) and many find it enjoyable to drink, only when one consumes too much so that it affects their concentration, motor control and cognitive functions does it become dangerous. Thus, the problem is people consuming too much drink, not that it is by itself dangerous.

Regarding the link between the LGBT community and drug use, this is the best article I could find. hxxp://www.lgf.org.uk/drugs/

So I'm a bit sceptical about these 'good drugs'.

I don't see anything wrong with some drugs.  A few of them have few to no negative side effects.  It's just the bad ones that I refuse to go near such as cocaine, heroin, etc.

This is not a judgement at all but I am curious…what are the "good drugs"?

In my experience (without looking for studies), gays also tend to have more stress and internal conflicts, hence more need for escapism.

I think another factor is the fact that every guy who identifies as gay has by definition faced down one of the biggest taboos there is (in most cultures). We know from personal experience that "what everyone knows" is horse crap, and one of the most empowering points in all of our lives (coming out) came from, essentially, telling society to fuck off and doing our own thing. I believe that, having done that, we're a lot more open to examining other taboos - extreme forms of kinky sex, for a prominent example; sexual chastity in relationships… I'm sure you can think of others. For me, it was a very tiny step to indulging my curiosity about mind-altering substances. I guess I'm saying that, yes, being gay is a gateway drug.  ;D

… Patrick Fillion?

Indeed it is. ;D

I regret not knowing who the artist is (the downside to all this information spreading on the Internet), I would have praised him (or her) for it everywhere I go.

But yours ain't so bad either. Patrick Fillion?

cumeaternc edit: disabled live link

Or did they count caffeine and alcohol as drugs?

I don't think this is representative of homosexual men, at all.

but is it just a gay thing or a night club thing in general ?

It must be a nightclub thing because none of our friends use drugs, but we aren't nightclubbers.

it seems the gay world comes to life over here in the uk after pub closing times
trying to stay up n active till closing time without some kind of stimulant i would image to be very difficult if not close to impossible
especially if it's night after night
i don't do drugs but i sometimes take the herbal substitutes
they certainly help keep me awake n alive through the night

but is it just a gay thing or a night club thing in general ?

Alcoholism and alcohol dependency is a fatal chronic illness affecting the lives of nearly 30% of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population (GLBT). Studies have found that 35% of lesbians had a history of gay alcohol abuse, compared to only 5% of the heterosexual women. In addition, further studies have shown that 30% of lesbians and gay men suffer from drug abuse or drug addiction, suggesting that the gay and lesbian community constitutes a high-risk population with regard to alcohol abuse and drug abuse.

Why is Gay Drug Abuse and Gay Alcohol Abuse Such a Problem?

It is important not to assume that homosexuality causes gay drug abuse or gay alcohol abuse. When gay men, lesbians and bisexuals internalize society's homophobic attitudes and beliefs, the results can be devastating. Society’s hatred becomes self-hatred. It can lead to feelings of alienation, despair, low self-esteem, self-destructive behavior and substance abuse. Some gay men, lesbians and bisexuals resort to substance abuse as a means to numb the feelings of being different, to relieve emotional pain or to reduce inhibitions about their sexual feelings.

Where Gay Substance Abuse and Gay Alcohol Abuse Begins and Ends

Gay substance abuse often begins in early adolescence when youth first begin to struggle with their sexual orientation. When surrounded by messages telling you that you are wrong and sick for who you are, eventually you may begin to believe it. Having to hide your identity and deal with homophobic comments and attitudes — often made by unknowing family and friends — can have a profound effect on you. In response to this overwhelming shame and homophobia, many lesbian, gays and bisexuals turn to alcohol abuse and drug abuse.

If you need help locating a gay friendly drug rehab or gay friendly alcohol rehab, you can go to www.recoveryconnection.org or call 1-800-511-9225, the national drug abuse helpline.

Jonathan Huttner is a partner in freedom rings, a GLBT addiction treatment component of Lakeview Health Systems. Lakeview specializes in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and dual diagnosis.

Article Source: hxxp://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Huttner

cumeaternc edit: disabled live link

i think this is a dangerous hypothesis. i have read studies that smoking, anxiety, and depression are more prevalent in gay versus straight males; however i hope no studies find a correlation between gays and hard-drug use. i could only imagine what such studies could do as far as throwing fuel on the anti-gay movement in america.

The statistic of 98% is coming from were? What methadology was used in the collection of this sample data?

A drug is any substance other than food or water that, when ingested, alters the physiological structure of the body. By this definition, alcohol is a drug.

Is it right and moral that the one drug that kills more people every day (gay and straight) than any other substance, is perfectly legal to obtain?

Or is your question directed towards an understanding of what biological and evolutionary benefits could possibly be gained from the use of chemical substances–enough to justify the altering of one's emotions--concomitant with the risk of addiction that frequently accompanies so many of these endeavors?

The questions raised by your comment are too numerous to address here. Suffice it to say that it would be a mistake to label one segment of society as being more prone to addiction than any other. On that point, if it is gay people who experience drug use more often, I would venture to guess that the reason is perhaps the hatred, suspicion, and outright hostility towards an outcast society of people whom, after being persecuted for centuries around the globe and living a life without a deserved dignity, must share the blame for making uninformed choices to use these mood-altering substances.