Study finds religious involvement does little to prevent opioid abuse

Does going to church help people avoid struggles with opioid abuse? New research from Florida State University says no.

In a new study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, a team of researchers led by FSU Associate Professor Amy Burdette examined the correlation—or lack thereof—between drug use and church attendance for women who are mothers. Researchers found while religious involvement could affect a person’s decision to use illegal drugs, it had no signifcant effect on women’s misuse of prescription drugs, including prescription opioids.

“Religious involvement matters for illegal drug use because religious communities directly condemn this…