News
Which States Have the Biggest Drug Problems? 10 States That Need To Go to Rehab
Just because the recreational sale of marijuana is now legal in Colorado and Washington, that doesn't necessarily mean those are the states with the most serious drug abuse problems. The most recent data from The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reveals which states have the highest rate of drug abuse (11.01-15.61% of residents using drugs). Click on to see which states most need a DARE program, and which drugs are causing the most problems in each state.
Images: AMC; Getty Images
Nevada
Drug of Choice: Stimulants (Meth)
It may come as no surprise that the state that houses Sin City is host to some of the worst drug abuse in the country. Stimulants, including methamphetamine, are the most commonly documented drugs for treatment admissions in Nevada.
Alaska
Drug of Choice: Marijuana
To be fair, the bars may be pretty spread out there. As of 2010, marijuana has been the most commonly-cited drug among primary drug treatment admissions, closely followed by other opiates like prescription drugs.
Colorado
Drug of Choice: Marijuana
Not a big shocker here. Among drug treatment program admissions in Colorado, marijuana seems to be the most popular drug residents seek rehabilitation for. We’ll see if the state’s recent legalization of the drug helps with education and abuse prevention.
New Mexico
Drug of Choice: Info Withheld
As the home state of the legendary Walter White, some may automatically associate New Mexico with meth. While there’s no data on which specific drug is used the most in the state, the drug-induced death rate in New Mexico is significantly higher than the national average, suggesting it’s not marijuana.
Montana
Drug of Choice: Marijuana
Similar to many of the Western states, marijuana, followed by opiates, is the most commonly cited drug among primary drug treatment admissions in Montana.
Rhode Island
Drug of Choice: Heroin
This tiny state has one of the highest rates of heroin addiction. According to the New York Times, Rhode Island also had the highest rate in the country of illicit drug use, with 12.5 percent of residents having reportedly used marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription psychotherapeutics used non-medically.
Oregon
Drug of Choice: Marijuana
The pioneers may have had other concerns on the epic trail, but marijuana use is now the leading drug addiction seeking treatment in Oregon.
Washington
Drug of Choice: Marijuana
The second state to legalize the sale of marijuana, it may not come as a surprise that marijuana is the most-abused drug in the state. Stimulants like methamphetamine are also a similarly-sized problem.
Vermont
Drug of Choice: Heroin
Recent reports have depicted a heroin crisis in this Green Mountain state, and opiates, including prescription drugs, are the most commonly-cited drugs among primary drug treatment admissions. Marijuana is also largely used here, [so insert your Vermont hippy joke here].
District of Columbia
Drug of Choice: Heroin
Does it come as any surprise that the nation’s capitol is at the top of the list? Street drugs are rampant in DC, with heroin and cocaine/crack each separately accounting for 32 percent of all treatment admissions in 2011.
