Which statement describes drug use rates and racial disparities in punishment?

• A. Drug use rates vary widely by race
• B. Drug use across racial groups
• C. Drug use is highest among Whites
• D. Drug use is lowest among Blacks

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that drug use prevalence is generally similar across racial groups, while racial disparities appear in punishment and enforcement. Saying “drug use across racial groups” communicates that usage rates don’t differ dramatically by race, which fits what research often shows, and it keeps the focus on the existence of punishment disparities rather than claiming one group uses more than others.

The other options imply a clear ranking of use by race (highest among Whites, lowest among Blacks) or claim wide variation by race. Those statements contradict the common finding that, although enforcement and punishment are racially biased in many cases, the underlying rates of drug use are not markedly different across groups.