State-by-State Report on Drug Use, Mental Health

U.S. Government researchers released a comprehensive state-by-state report of substance abuse and mental health issues on Thursday.

The data was collected from 136,110 people and offers the most recent and most comprehensive look at individual state issues to date, said Dr. Westley Clark, a substance abuse expert at the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

"The better data we have, the better decisions and choices we can make and exercise," Clark said.

According to the report, Vermont accounts for the highest amount of marijuana use in the U.S., while Utah had the highest number of people reporting mental health problems.

Utah was noted to have the lowest rate of underage drinking at 21.5 percent, while Vermont accounted for the highest with 38.3 percent between the years of 2005 and 2006. The study categorized persons aged 12 to 20 to be underage.

However, Utah reported the highest rate of adults with serious psychological problems at 14.4 percent in the same period.

"This report shows that although states may be uniquely affected by serious public health problems like underage drinking, every state and region must confront these issues," Terry Cline, chief of SAMHSA, said.

According to the study, Georgia had the lowest level of past month underage binge drinking of alcohol with 15.2 percent, and North Dakota had the highest level of 28.5 percent.

During the period of 2005 and 2006, Oklahoma accounted for 6.7 percent of persons aged 12 or older using pain relievers for nonmedical purposes in the past year. Hawaii, New Jersey, and South Dakota had the lowest rate in the Nation with 3.9 percent.

The highest rate of illicit drug use was found in the District of Columbia, accounting for 4.3 percent. Iowa held the lowest rate of 2.1 percent.

The study represents the most comprehensive of its field to date.

“By highlighting the nature and scope of the challenges affecting each state, we can help focus and target substance abuse and mental illness prevention and treatment resources,” said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline.

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