A new analysis by WalletHub has revealed the states struggling most with drug use, with New Mexico, West Virginia and Nevada ranking at the top.

Why It Matters

The study evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 20 metrics ranging from arrest and overdose rates to opioid prescriptions and employee drug testing laws. More than 80,000 drug overdose deaths were recorded nationwide in the 12 months ending in November 2024, according to CDC data cited by WalletHub.

The findings come amid rising concerns over the spread of powerful synthetic drugs e fentanyl. In 2024 alone, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized the equivalent of 380 million lethal doses of fentanyl, according to WalletHub.

What To Know

According to WalletHub, the top 10 places with the highest overall drug use issues are:

1. New Mexico
2. West Virginia
3. Nevada
4. Alaska
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Oklahoma
7. Missouri
8. Colorado
9. Louisiana
10. Arkansas

The study found New Mexico to have the worst drug problem in the U.S., particularly among teens. It leads the nation in teen illicit drug use and early marijuana experimentation. Adults in the state also rank third for illicit drug use.

Contributing to the crisis are weak drug prevention policies, a lack of adults with drug problems receiving treatment, and a high number of children exposed to substance abuse at home. New Mexico also has one of the highest rates of drug overdose deaths per capita, according to the study.

West Virginia ranks second in the nation for drug problems, with the highest drug overdose death rate and fourth-most campus drug arrests per capita.

The state faces a shortage of mental health and substance abuse professionals, limiting access to treatment, according to the study.

Additionally, many children are exposed to drug-related issues at home, with one of the highest rates of kids living with someone struggling with drug problems.

Nevada ranks third for the worst drug problems in the U.S., with nearly 30 percent of students exposed to drugs at school and the third-highest rate of early teen marijuana use, the study found.

The state struggles to address addiction, the report suggested, with few treatment facilities and counselors, and a high percentage of untreated adult drug users.

On the other side of the spectrum, Hawaii, Utah, Nebraska, Connecticut, and Florida were the lowest ranking states, suggesting relatively fewer drug-related issues according to WalletHub’s metrics.

What People Are Saying

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report: “Drug problems can start from multiple sources, like taking illegal substances with friends or getting hooked on a prescription that was originally given for a legitimate medical issue. As states fight drug addiction, they need to consider all angles and make sure they are not just addressing things from a law enforcement perspective but also providing the resources necessary to help people with addictions get clean.”

Lupo told Newsweek: “Washington and Oregon have seen their rankings slide over the past three years, driven largely by worsening scores in drug use and enforcement.

Over the past three years, Washington has experienced a significant decline in its fight against drug abuse, rising steadily in the ranks toward worse conditions. In 2023, the state ranked 33rd overall, but by 2024 it had worsened to 31st, and by 2025 it reached 18th—marking a troubling upward trend toward the most severe drug problems.

“The most alarming shift came in the ‘Drug Use & Addiction’ category, where Washington’s rank deteriorated from 19th in 2023 to 15th in 2024 and 5th in 2025—placing it among the five worst states in that area.

“Similarly, Oregon’s overall rank declined from 19th worst in 2023 to 12th worst in 2025. Its drug use and addiction rank worsened from 10 to three. While its access to rehab remained relatively strong (ranking between eight and 10), persistently low law enforcement performance and increasing drug use dragged down its overall standing.”

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/map-shows-states-with-highest-drug-use-issues/ar-AA1E3A4t