Drug Rehabs Report Drug Abuse in Massachusetts Above National Average

Drug Rehabs are taking a close look at the growing drug problem in northeastern states. According to drug treatment center statistics, the northeastern portion of the U.S. has a higher than average percentage of drug abusers.

One state in particular with a large heroin problem is Massachusetts. Drug rehabs report that Massachusetts is one of the top ten states for high drug abuse rates. Citizens from Massachusetts enter drug treatment centers more than most other states in the country. The state is above the national average in the following categories, according to drug treatment center experts:

• Illicit drug use among young adults 18-25
• Marijuana use among young adults 18-25
• Illicit drug dependence among persons age 12 or over
• Rate of drug induced deaths

Drug rehabs also report that the most common drug cited for admissions to drug treatment centers for addicts from Massachusetts is heroin. Heroin may be a huge problem in the state because of the ports in Boston.

The problem is similar to that of New Jersey’s heroin problem. Because Massachusetts has access to huge shipping ports on the Atlantic, and it has an enormous population density along the coast, bringing the drug into the state and distributing it may be far easier than in many other states. Most of the heroin use in Massachusetts is concentrated in Boston and the city’s surrounding areas.