Extensive new study details states' drug, alcohol use

Mon Feb 14,11:28 AM ET USATODAY.com


By Donna Leinwand, USA TODAY

Alaska has the nation's highest rate of illegal drug use; binge drinking is particularly prevalent in the upper Midwest; and Utah's reputation as a clean-living state is well-deserved, according to a landmark federal study.


The study, to be released Monday by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, combines data from 136,000 interviews conducted in 2002 and 2003. The large number of interviews and the depth of the surveys provide extraordinary detail about the roles that drugs, alcohol and tobacco play in Americans' daily lives. (Related story: 1 in 5 have binged recently)

Health officials will use the information to help shape anti-drug campaigns and rehabilitation programs. Among the study's findings:

� The states with the highest percentage of people who said they had used illicit drugs during the previous month, in addition to Alaska, were Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

� Binge drinking was a problem across the nation, but particularly in North Dakota, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Northern cold-weather states typically had the highest percentages of binge drinkers - those who said they had had five or more drinks in one sitting during the previous month. Nationally, almost 23% of Americans had binged on alcohol within the past 30 days. Six Northeastern states had the highest rates of alcohol use, led by New Hampshire at 59.8%. North Dakota had the highest rates of binge drinking and alcohol abuse and dependence.

� Utah had the nation's lowest rates for drug use, alcohol use and binge drinking. More than 70% of the state's 2.3 million residents belong to the Mormon Church, which opposes drugs or alcohol.

� Most of the states where residents use alcohol the least were in the South. But Southerners were among the biggest users of another vice: tobacco.

The study is one of the broadest yet on the USA's drug problems and will become the baseline to which other studies will compare data.

Charles Curie, the substance abuse agency's administrator, said the numbers reflect that fewer youths are using illegal drugs, but alcohol is as popular as ever. "We're seeing illicit drug use among youth go down, but we're seeing binge drinking remain stubbornly at the same levels," he said. "That whole range, in every state, is just way too high."

Can you ever make a post with 1 or 2 lines in it.

You seem to produce these long ducuments about stupid subjects. Stop wasting all of our time. Make it short and sweet.................

GEE FLORIDA WASN'T MENTIONED ONCE, OR IS THAT IN THE SPANISH SECTION OF THIS ARTICLE???

ANYWAY, UTAH MIGHT BE THE CLEAN STATE, BUT NOT WHEN IT COMES TO DIRTY MINDS...UTAH TOPS OUT WITH RAPES,PEDOPHILIA,INCEST,CHILD PORNOGRAPHY..
WHAT'S THE NICKNAME AGAIN? "SALT RAPE CITY"

I guess there is not much going on in Alaska

quote:

Originally posted by kennybopaloo:
[qb]Can you ever make a post with 1 or 2 lines in it.

You seem to produce these long ducuments about stupid subjects. Stop wasting all of our time. Make it short and sweet.................[/qb]

Then don't read them. I'm not bound by your limitations.
Strong African Woman

quote:

Originally posted by kennybopaloo:
[qb]Can you ever make a post with 1 or 2 lines in it.

You seem to produce these long ducuments about stupid subjects. Stop wasting all of our time. Make it short and sweet.................[/qb]

Kenny you don't seem to have a problem with MikeyD or Dabronxer doing the same thing.Why is that?

Because they are OK with me. This other nitwit thinks he is something special.

He should join the special Olympics......

Youre OK with me Norie.....................

Those Mormons came to my house, they really are weird. I offered them a smoke of my pipe, and they looked like they've never seen tobacco before. They kept asking me how to use it and what happens. Kind of like when that unfortunate Indian grasped Columbus' sword...

Hey Norie..are you saying I post stupid subjects here ?? Because if you are..lets see some gems from you. If I wasn't here, not much would be posted at all.

No Mikey I am not saying that, Kenny did.What I am saying is you copy long threads too, if their stupid that's not my fault.You only wish you can see my gems. LMAOPMP
Kenny your okay with me too. There just seems to be double standards on this board, no?
Mikey you do keep the topics coming, and coming and coming......LMAOPMP

Good one Norie. I am sure your gems are quite lovely !

i'd rather see mike's long posts , than people teasing the crippled

I do volunteer work at the special olympics it is quite rewarding.

quote:

Originally posted by kennybopaloo:
[qb]Because they are OK with me. This other nitwit thinks he is something special.

He should join the special Olympics......[/qb]

Like I said what have you ever contributed to this board? As for being special, you said it, I didn't.
Is nitwit the best you can do? That allong with pencil neck shows the caliber of your posts.