Young workers are more likely to use illicit drugs if they experience high levels of stress and low levels of control in their jobs, Reuters reported March 1.

Researchers led by Philip L. Reed of Michigan State University surveyed 1,000 young adults and found that those with high job strain -- work that is mentally or physically taxing and offers little freedom to make decisions -- were more likely to use marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other illicit drugs.

About 5 percent of those studied met the criteria for drug dependence. Those who reported low levels of control over their jobs were two to three times more likely to be drug dependent than those reporting higher levels of control.

The study appears in the March 1, 2006 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.