Drug use in low-income and resource-poor communities is much more prevalent than in communities with access to employment and strong family relationships, finds a study published in Substance Use and Misuse.

The study, led by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, was focused on finding substance-use history of those in the urban Arkansas Mississippi Delta area, which is known for high unemployment, low-income and having predominantly African American residents. The study was conducted over a two year period from 2010 to 2012 and included 51 African American cocaine users between the ages of 18 and 61.

Over 70 percent of the participants had attempted to quit drug use at least once for various reasons. Although because of the area, there was no access to treatment programs. Some, however, were able to recovery without normal treatment. This recovery was due to a lifestyle change and altering their relationships.

The researchers state the best approach to reduce drug use in these areas is interventions to the actual communities to increase employment and housing. Overall, it was found that resources within any community are critical to help others into recovery.