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Report offers state-by-state breakdown of non-medical prescription drug use
A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a state-by-state breakdown of the extent of non-medical use of prescription opioids. Oklahoma, with a prevalence of 5.31% in past-year non-medical use of prescription pain relievers based on 2012-2014 data, headed the list of states with the highest rates.
Alabama, Arkansas and Nevada followed Oklahoma atop the list, while the state with the lowest past-year non-medical use was Minnesota (3.41%), followed by Montana, Florida, Vermont and Massachusetts. Data were for individuals ages 12 and older.
The report also indicates that non-medical use of prescription opioids in 2012-2014 decreased from 2010-2012 levels in the nation as a whole. The data were derived from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
