How Bad is Michigan’s Drug Problem? Among the Worst in the U.S.

Well THIS is a list we certainly don't want to top...

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Michigan has had it rough in a few recent studies. Not only are Mitten State residents ranked among the least attractive in the country, Michigan was also named one of the worst states in 2023.

Here's another blow: A new study has found Michigan has one of the worst drug problems in the U.S.

The personal-finance website WalletHub released a report on the States with the Biggest Drug Problems, comparing the 50 states and DC in terms of 20 key metrics, ranging from arrest and overdose rates to opioid prescriptions and employee drug testing laws.

Some stats on drug use from Wallethub:

• There were more than 103,500 drug overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending in November 2022.
• The DEA seized the equivalent of more than 410 million lethal doses of fentanyl in 2022.

The study finds Michigan has the 10th biggest drug problem in America in 2023, with a total score of 55.31.

Here's a breakdown of Michigan's results:

10th – Share of Teenagers Who Used Illicit Drugs in the Past Month
11th – Share of Adults Who Used Illicit Drugs in the Past Month
11th – Opioid Pain Reliever Prescriptions per 100 People
26th – Drug Overdose Deaths per Capita
21st – Share of Adults Who Couldn’t Get Treatment for Illicit Drug Use in the Past Year
6th – Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities per 100,000 People (Age 12+) Using Illicit Drugs

Which state has the worst drug problem?

New Mexico came in at No. 1 with a score of 71.26.

Wallethub finds Hawaii with the least worst drug problem, coming in at No. 51 with a score of 22.80.

How does Michigan compare to surrounding states?

Ohio is ranked No. 30, Illinois 28, Indiana 12, Wisconsin 31.

Here are the ten states with the biggest drug problems, according to Wallethub:

1. New Mexico
2. West Virginia
3. District of Columbia
4. Louisiana
5. Colorado
6. Missouri
7. Arkansas
8. Nevada
9. Oklahoma
10. Michigan