Black and white Americans use illicit drugs at about the same rate, but blacks are 10 times more likely to be imprisoned on drug charges, according to research from the Justice Policy Institute.

Reuters reported Dec. 4 that the report found that the disparity persisted in most large counties in the U.S. Blacks, who represent 13 percent of the U.S. population, comprise about half of the 175,000 people jailed for drug offenses in 2002.

"What you keep seeing is this towering drug admission rate for African Americans and a very small rate for whites. In many cases, the admission rate for whites is smaller than the (percentage of whites in the) whole population," said Justice Policy Institute Executive Director Jason Ziedenberg.

The report said the federal crack-cocaine sentencing disparity, more law-enforcement focus on inner-city areas, and greater leniency among probation officers toward white offenders help explain the disparities. Ziedenberg urged policymakers to invest more money in addiction treatment programs.