Ohio among top states for illegal painkiller use by young adults, study finds

A national study released last month by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that Ohio is one of the top nine states for non-medical use of painkillers among 18- to 25-year-olds (Source: “New national report shows many differences in the types and levels of substance use and mental illness problems experienced among the states,” SAMHSA News Release, July 21, 2011).According to Ohio

Attorney General Mike DeWine, more than 1700 people in Ohio died last year due to illegal drug or prescription use, which is more than all the people who died in traffic crashes in the state.

"No state is free from the unique impact of mental and substance use disorders," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "Data like these give states the information they can use to target their prevention and treatment activities for the greatest benefit to their residents."

Click here for the full state-by-state assessment of drug abuse/mental health disorders (pdf, 318 page).