Minnesota seeing drug abuse rates close to 10%

It was reported that the number of Americans abusing substances has continued to rise. In 2010 a new government survey showed that 22.6 million or 8.9 percent of the population is abusing substances. Minnesota has seen similar rises. The increase has largely been driven by more gateway substance abuse according to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Young adults appear to be the group showing the greatest increase in substance abuse. The group that seems to be standing out among everybody is the 18-25 year old. These are people who are going to college, starting the workforce and starting families. Illicit substance abuse among this group has gone from 19.6 percent in 2008 to 21.5 percent in 2010. That is a significant increase. It was observed that this is a whole group of people that haven’t been focused on. Intervention for this group should be much earlier before they get into trouble. The officials felt that they needed to take what they are learning about helping people reduce their substance use and figure out how to apply that to these substances in our society. They felt they needed to intervene before this group needs treatment or go to jail.

Narconon Minnesota, a substance abuse treatment facility serving Minnesota residents, reports similar statistics including a rise in the number of young people seeking treatment for addiction. One administrator of the SAMHSA stated, "We stand at the crossroads in our nation's effort to prevent substance abuse and addiction. These statistics represent real effects of illicit substance use. It also represents lives that are at risk from the harmful and sometimes devastating effects. This nation cannot afford to lose more individuals, families and communities to substances or from other types of substance abuse."

Millions of Americans go to programs like Narconon Riverbend each and every year because of their substance abuse habits.

If you or someone you love has a substance abuse problem, officials recommend using a long term drug rehab program.