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 theÂ States with the Biggest Drug Problems in 2019Â 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:

News

Pharmacy

New study compares every state using data like opioid prescriptions and overdose rates to determine where drug problems hit hardest.