CITIZENS RALLYING FOR CHANGE ON ALCOHOL

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ALCOHOL ABUSE IN RURAL AREAS

Alcohol and other drug abuse has long been perceived to be a problem of the inner city. However, alcohol abuse is also a problem in rural areas and illicit drugs have infiltrated towns of every size. Today, adults and young teens in rural areas are just as likely to abuse substances as those in larger metropolitan areas. The problems may be the same, but smaller communities have limited resources to deal with the consequences of substance abuse.

Factors contributing to alcohol/drug abuse in rural America include poverty, unemployment, underemployment and the isolation of rural areas. Alcohol/drug abuse results in crime including buying and selling drugs, driving while intoxicated, and disorderly conduct, as well as poor grades in school and other serious complications. Drug abuse can also include prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and cigarettes.

According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, substance abuse dependence for persons 12 years or older (unless age is otherwise noted) varied by geographic area:

Underage alcohol use

25.5% in non-metropolitan areas
27.4% in small metropolitan areas
25.9% in large metropolitan areas

Past month alcohol use

46.2% in non-metropolitan areas
50.6% in small metropolitan areas
54.1% in large metropolitan areas

Rates of binge alcohol use among youths aged 12 to 17

8.5% in non-metropolitan areas
7.7% in small metropolitan areas
7.8% in large metropolitan areas

Rates of illicit drug use

7.5% in non-metropolitan areas
8.8% in small metropolitan areas
9.4% in large metropolitan areas

Cigarette smoking rates

26% in non-metropolitan areas
23.5% in small metropolitan areas
21.7% in large metropolitan areas

Rates of substance dependence or abuse

7.6% in non-metropolitan counties
8.9% in small metropolitan counties
8.9% in large metropolitan counties

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