In the midst of the ongoing drug epidemic in the United States, a new report provides insights into the areas of the country most affected by this crisis. Researchers at WalletHub analyzed data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, examining 20 key factors related to substance abuse.
According to the report, New Mexico emerged with the highest total score, indicating the most significant challenges associated with substance abuse, closely followed by West Virginia and the District of Columbia. In contrast, Hawaii obtained the lowest score among the analyzed regions.
Delving deeper into the data, Vermont exhibited not only the highest percentage of adults engaged in drug abuse but also the highest percentage of teenagers involved in substance abuse. The study also shed light on the prevalence of drug-related incidents on school property, with California reporting three times more occurrences compared to the state with the lowest percentage, North Dakota. Furthermore, South Dakota had the highest per capita rate of drug arrests, while Massachusetts recorded the lowest percentage of arrests.
Regarding treatment for substance use, Maryland ranked highest in the number of individuals receiving substance abuse treatment, whereas Idaho reported the lowest. Nevada faced challenges with a scarcity of treatment centers and the highest percentage of adults with unmet drug treatment needs.
“It’s crucial for the government to address this issue and prevent it from getting worse. Given the uncertain future and lack of significant progress to date, it’s fair to wonder where drug abuse is most prevalent and which areas are most at risk,” the report authors said.
