Drug Use by State: 2021’s Problem Areas – WalletHub Study

The COVID pandemic made 2020 the deadliest year says the CDC. The virus killed nearly 400,000 Americans in 2020 Americans making it the third leading cause of death. Coronavirus was not the only contributor to the deadliest year as substance abuse contributed to its share of deaths. In 2020, numbers of drug overdoses. While many states lost Americans to drugs like Heroin, Fentanyl, and prescription medications, states like Virginia, Ohio, and Oregon have lost many more.

With National Prevention Week in full swing and drug overdose deaths in 2020 up 24% from the previous year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the States with the Biggest Drug Problems.

This study compares the 50 states and the District in terms of 21 key metrics, ranging from arrest and overdose rates to opioid prescriptions and employee drug testing laws.

Highlights

Key Stats:

• Alabama has 86 retail opioid pain reliever prescriptions per 100 residents, leading the nation. On the other end of the spectrum, there are 30 for every 100 Hawaii residents.
• West Virginia has 52.80 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 residents. That is 6.1 times more than in Nebraska, which has the fewest at 8.70 per 100,000 residents.
• Vermont has the highest share of teens who used illicit drugs in the past month, at 14.14 percent. That is 2.3 times higher than in Utah, which has the lowest at 6.03 percent.
• Vermont has the highest share of adults who used illicit drugs in the past month, at 21.70 percent. That is 2.9 times higher than in South Dakota, which has the lowest at 7.60 percent.

WalletHub Q & A

What are the most effective measures state and local authorities can take to combat the opioid epidemic?

“Authorities should enact policies that expand access to medications for opioid use disorder, as these are the most effective treatments for opioid use disorder. Methadone and buprenorphine treatment can result in as much as a 50% decline in overdose death incidence,” said Barbara “Basia”Andraka-Christou, J.D., PhD, University of Central Florida. “Retention on these medications predicts better health outcomes than does short-term medication use. Specific state policies would include expanding Medicaid if the state has not already done so because people with opioid use disorder are disproportionately covered by Medicaid; prohibiting commercial insurers and Medicaid from having prior authorization or step therapy requirements for these medications; and creating public awareness campaigns with education about evidence-based treatments. Finally, drug possession should be decriminalized, as its criminalization is a primary source of the stigma that prevents people from obtaining treatment. A criminal justice history also serves as a major barrier to employment and re-engagement in prosocial behaviors.”

“There is not just one solution,” said Marian Wilson, PhD, MPH, RN, PMGT-BC, Washington State University. “Because the problem is multifactorial, the solution must be as well. Current work is already going on in many communities to increase the education of health professionals and community members. Such activities are essential to increase knowledge and de-stigmatization of people who take opioids whether they are used for pain or within the context of an opioid use disorder. These activities are very important to continue and to support with funding. Best practices should spread into all communities. Continued support is needed for things like the availability of the opioid reversal agent naloxone, “take back” programs so unused opioids are not freely available in American households, access to effective, affordable, and private treatment for people with opioid use disorders (including medications for addiction treatment), and increased access and insurance reimbursements for non-opioid pain management options are all critical.”

What should family or friends do if they suspect someone has a drug problem?

“First, recognize that substance use disorders are conditions that involve isolation, and nearly always have a mental health component,” said James Langabeer, PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. “Shame and guilt are common- so family members should avoid judgment (which is admittedly very difficult!). Relationships are the antidote to substance use disorders! People need emotional support, and not criticism. Second, offer to help find local resources. Doctors are sometimes hard for people to visit and discuss these problems with. Local recovery groups (like AA or Narcotics Anonymous) are sometimes the first place to learn about supportive relationships. All long-term recovery efforts typically include some type of counseling, social work, and definitely coaching and peer support.”

“If family and friends see negative consequences arising from drug misuse, they can engage in non-confrontational discussions with that individual about how drug use has impacted their life and the lives of people around them,” said Cody Wenthur, Pharm.D, PhD, University of Wisconsin – Madison. “They can educate themselves on local resources that provide addiction treatment services and be ready to provide a feasible plan if the individual is ready to change their behavior and wants to seek treatment. And in the case of risky opioid use, in many states they can access overdose reversal agents at a pharmacy, without a prescription – this will give them the tools to intervene and potentially save that individual’s life.”

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted the population suffering from drug problems in terms of mental health and access to care? What are some steps that can be taken in order to mitigate this impact?

“Despite some treatment barriers being lowered during the pandemic (longer methadone take-home doses, prescription of buprenorphine via telehealth), opioid overdoses have increased since March 2020,” said Peggy Compton, RN, PhD, FAAN, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. “Stress, boredom, using alone (so not able to be reversed with naloxone), disrupted drug supply (thus users have fluctuating levels of tolerance) have all contributed. Telehealth is good for persons with internet access. It is important to immunize users.”

“The increasing use of telehealth has been an excellent development for accessibility of treatment, especially for prescribing buprenorphine for OUD,” said Megan Lemay, MD, Virginia Commonwealth University. “Many AA and NA groups have changed to an online format, so in some ways, peer-recovery is even more accessible than ever. Meanwhile, substance use disorders, including alcohol use, have increased during the pandemic. Personally, I have seen so many of my stable patients' relapse as the usual structure of their lives and in-person medical care have been disrupted. Encouraging patients to seek care now, via telehealth or in-person care, for their substance use, even in the face of relapse, is essential.”

To view the full report and learn about drug abuse in your state, please visit:

https://wallethub.com/edu/drug-use-by-state/35150

Courtesy: WalletHub