New study compares every state using data like opioid prescriptions and overdose rates to determine where drug problems hit hardest.
With the Trump Administration ramping up efforts to combat the opioid epidemic with a $350 million opioid-addiction research and treatment initiative and a pharma distributor agreeing to pay out millions in the first criminal opioid case, the opioid epidemic continues to cause severe damage to Americans.“Healthcare execs should be concerned with the drug problem the country is facing, as the industry could have a direct and positive influence on rehabilitation. For example, development of pain relievers that are not opioids would address the issue,” says Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst.The personal-finance website WalletHub released a study on the States with the Biggest Drug Problems in 2019 to highlight the areas that stand to be most affected.The study compares 50 states and the District in terms of 22 key metrics, ranging from arrest and overdose rates to opioid prescriptions and employee drug testing laws.“Unfortunately, the future does not look very bright, especially considering the high incidence of drug use among teenagers across the country,” Gonzalez says. “However, considering the approach the current administration has to drug use, we can say there is a silver lining. This is because last year Congress passed legislation aimed at providing support for those struggling with addiction.”Here are the top 10 states with the worst drug problems, according to the study:
Here are the top 10 states with the worst drug problems, according to the study:
10. New Mexico
In New Mexico, 11% of teenagers used illicit drugs in the past month, the fifth largest share in the country. The state also has the largest share of teenagers who tried marijuana before age 13-almost 16%-and one of the largest shares of teenagers who were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school property in the past year.
“State authorities could implement anti-drug educational programs in schools, as well as increase the number of narcotics anonymous meetings. Introducing legislation regarding employee drug testing and substance abuse during pregnancy are also among the measures that should be taken,” Gonzalez says.
9. Colorado
Colorado has the fourth largest share of adults who used illicit drugs in the past month, almost 19%.
“In terms of law enforcement, the state has three drug arrests on college campuses per 1,000 students, the highest number in the country, substance abuse during pregnancy is not a crime, and there are no employee drug testing laws,” Gonzalez says.
More than 3% of the state's adults couldn't get treatment for illicit drug use in the past year, the third largest percentage nationwide.
“Authorities' main priorities should be adopting laws regarding employee drug testing, and facilitating treatment for those who are abusing drugs,’ Gonzalez says.
8. Kentucky
This state has 87 opioid pain reliever prescriptions per 100 people, among the highest rates in the country, one of the highest numbers of clandestine drug laboratories or dumpsites, and the fifth most overdose deaths per capita.
“Authorities should address the opioid crisis, as well as focus on closing down illegal drug labs,” Gonzalez says.
7. New Hampshire
New Hampshire has one of the highest numbers of overdose deaths per capita, 37 per 100,000 residents, and the state has no employee drug testing laws.
“Aside from introducing drug tests among employees, state authorities should help treat drug addiction through specialized clinics,” Gonzalez says.
6. Arkansas
Arkansas ranks poorly in a number of categories:
The highest percentage of teenagers who were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school property in the past year, 30.7%,
Almost 12% of the state’s children lived with someone who had a drug or alcohol problem, one of the largest shares in the country,
There are 105 opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 people, the second most, and the most clandestine drug laboratories or dumpsites, and
One of the lowest shares of addiction treatment medication paid by Medicaid, less than 8%.
“Among the measures state authorities could implement to address the issue are introducing anti-drug programs in schools, shutting down illegal drug labs, and supporting addiction treatment medication for residents,” Gonzalez says.
5. Indiana
Indiana also has one of the largest numbers of opioid pain reliever prescriptions per 100 people, the most clandestine drug laboratories or dumpsites, and the third biggest growth in overdose deaths, 22.5%.
The state has some of the most drug arrests on college campuses per 1,000 students, it does not consider substance abuse during pregnancy a crime, and does not have employee drug testing laws.
“The state should employ more substance abuse and behavioral disorder counsellors and social workers, as it has one of the smallest numbers per capita,” Gonzalez says.
4. West Virginia
This state has one of the largest shares of teenagers who tried marijuana before age 13, almost 9%. It also has the second largest percentage of children who lived with someone with a drug or alcohol problem, 15.6%, and one of the highest numbers of opioid pain reliever prescriptions per 100 people, and the most drug overdose deaths.
The state is tied with Colorado for the most drug arrests on college campuses per 1,000 students and does not have employee drug testing laws.
“One of the important things authorities should do to address the drug problem is making drug treatment programs available for pregnant women, and employ more mental health and substance abuse social workers and counselors,” Gonzalez says.
3. Missouri
Missouri has one of the largest shares of children who lived with someone with a drug or alcohol problem, 12.2%, and the most clandestine drug laboratories or dumpsites.
The state is also among the top 10 for most drug arrests per capita, has no prescription drug monitoring laws, no employee drug testing laws, and substance abuse during pregnancy is not considered a crime.
“To start addressing the issue, authorities should introduce drug treatment programs for pregnant women, as well as prescription drug monitoring legislation,” Gonzalez says.
2. Michigan
Michigan has one of the largest shares of teenagers who tried marijuana before age 13 (8.6%), and one of the highest percentages of teenagers who were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school property in the past year, 26%. Plus, the state has some of the most opioid pain reliever prescriptions per 100 people and clandestine drug laboratories or dumpsites.
The state does not consider substance abuse during pregnancy a crime, and does not have employee drug testing laws.
“Drug treatment programs for pregnant women should be made available here as well. Introducing anti-drug programs in schools would also help,” Gonzalez says.
1. District of Columbia
The District of Columbia has the fourth largest share of teenagers (11.2%), and the second largest share of adults (20.4%) who used illicit drugs in the past month. As a direct consequence, it has the most overdose deaths per capita.
“There are plenty of things authorities here could do to address the drug problem, especially considering that the District of Columbia has the largest share of adults who couldn’t get treatment for illicit drug use in the past year. There are not enough substance abuse treatment facilities, and no drug treatment programs for pregnant women,” Gonzalez says.
