10 States With the Highest Drug Use in the U.S., According to a New Study
Drug addiction is a devastating thing that affects people all over America. Families, communities, and even our healthcare systems feel the weight of overdoses. And this epidemic doesn’t discriminate. It’s everywhere, touching lives in small towns, big cities, and all types of people.
Once someone is deep in addiction, getting clean is no small feat. The physical, mental, and emotional labor that it takes just to go through withdrawal is hard enough, not to mention the cost of rehab and the difficulties in staying sober.
If you want to know which states are hit the hardest with drug usage, these ten states have the highest rates, according to a new study. Find out how bad it really is and what they’re doing to turn the tide.
Note: The National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879 is a free, confidential, 24/7 drug and alcohol hotline. Call today and start your journey towards a better future.
New Mexico
So many lives are lost to drugs in New Mexico, with overdose deaths per capita climbing faster than most states. It’s not just adults—this Southwest state has the highest teen drug use, with shocking numbers of kids trying marijuana before 13. In cities like Albuquerque, gang violence tied to drug activity only adds to the crisis.
What’s worse, there aren’t nearly enough resources to fight this. Most people struggling with addiction don’t get treatment, and rehab centers are scarce. Without employee drug-testing laws, the problem feels like it’s spiraling out of control.
West Virginia
The opioid crisis in our country is a real epidemic. West Virginia, specifically, is ground zero. You might’ve heard how, in 2021, over a thousand people died from opioid overdoses there—making up 75% of the nation’s total. So many families are shattered, with the state leading in overdose deaths per capita and ranking high in drug arrests on college campuses. Even kids aren’t spared, with many living in homes impacted by addiction.
What’s holding things back? A shortage of social workers makes it harder for those struggling to find the support they desperately need.
Nevada
Nevada, home to Las Vegas, is known as a party state. While that’s partly true, there’s a bigger issue. A huge number of teenagers here have tried marijuana before they even hit their teens. That’s not even the worst part: nearly 30% of students have been offered drugs on school property.
Even as overdose deaths drop nationally, they’re rising in states like Nevada. There aren’t enough treatment centers or counselors to help people.
Washington D.C.
The bustling District of Columbia has a serious drug problem, with the highest overdose deaths per capita. Every year, nearly 400 people lose their lives due to opioids. Many of these victims are men in their 50s and 60s. It turns out that a huge number of adults in D.C. still can’t access the treatment they need.
The area’s Live Long D.C. initiative aims to curb opioid misuse and deaths, while drug-free zones have been set up to fight street-level crime. But so far, the changes haven’t made the impact residents are desperately calling for.
Colorado
The fentanyl crisis has hit Colorado hard, contributing to staggering death tolls and a $16 billion cost in 2023 alone. Shockingly, the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division seized a record 425.6 kilograms of the drug last year. Just two milligrams of pure fentanyl is fatal!
As the sixth state with the highest drug use, Colorado ranks fourth in the U.S. for law enforcement efforts, with high rates of drug arrests, including on campuses. But there’s a glimmer of hope: drug overdose deaths have dropped in Denver and statewide through mid-2024.
Missouri
Missouri ranks sixth in the nation for drug law enforcement and eighth for drug health issues and rehab. One in ten teens and one in five adults struggle with substance use, and over 1.2 million adults face mental health challenges.
But Missouri is determined to change. Overdose deaths dropped 28% in early 2024. An addiction science team is pushing to get naloxone into the hands of those most likely to witness an overdose (though this is controversial). They say it’s not about encouraging drug use but giving people a chance at life while they figure out their recovery.
Louisiana
When drug abuse spikes, it often leads to more arrests and worse outcomes for those battling addiction. That’s definitely the case in Louisiana, where fentanyl addiction has become a major issue. The state ranks third in opioid prescriptions per capita and fourth in overdose deaths.
In response, Louisiana has toughened its penalties. Even small amounts of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced substances can result in serious legal consequences. Do you think these harsher punishments will help curb the crisis, or are they just making things worse for people already struggling?
Arkansas
Arkansas has one of the highest rates of opioid prescriptions, with over 500 drug overdose deaths reported. Even though the state has a lower percentage of teenage drug users, it’s clear that young people are at risk, often falling prey to opioids and fentanyl—sometimes unintentionally.
To combat these tragic stories, Arkansas is launching a youth drug-reduction program backed by $5 million in federal funding. It’s a step forward, but is it enough to make a real difference?
Oklahoma
The new Senate Bill 511 in Oklahoma is set to bring harm reduction services to the state, but the real impact is still a long way off. About one in five adults struggle with mental illness, and one in ten has an active substance use disorder—some of the highest rates in the country. Overdose deaths are rising, especially with the combo of meth and opioids.
What’s even more troubling is that the state has the fifth-highest percentage of adults with unmet drug treatment needs. Instead of proper support, many areas rely on jails to provide treatment.
Michigan
Believe it or not, Michigan ranks 10th for drug use in the U.S. In 2023, 400 children aged 12 to 17 were admitted for marijuana treatment, making up over half of all youth substance use cases. Shocking, right? Michigan might be where the car capital is, but drug overdoses now claim more lives than auto accidents. Opioid-related deaths hit adults aged 35 to 54 the hardest, followed by young adults 21 to 34.
Economic struggles and high unemployment rates have left many residents turning to drugs to cope with stress and depression.
Note: The National Drug Helpline at (844) 289-0879 is a free, confidential, 24/7 drug and alcohol hotline. Call today and start your journey towards a better future.
Source: WalletHub
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