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Northeast > Resources > Topic Specific > Diverse Populations > Rural Communities Trends |
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What are the latest substance abuse trends in rural areas? The economic and social costs of substance
abuse are staggering. According to one study, the United States spent
428 billion dollars on substance abuse expenses in 1995, or 1,600 dollars
per person (Rice, 1999). This figure includes the following costs: Underage drinking rates in rural communities are higher than those of all other population densities in the United States. This was determined by comparing the percent of students who reported consuming at least one drink during lifetime (lifetime use), at least one drink in the past year (past year use), and at least one drink in the past 30 days (past month use). In addition, drinking rates in all three categories were higher in 2001 than in 2000. Lifetime use increased from 42.6 percent of respondents to 49.2 of respondents, past year use increased from 33.5 percent of respondents to 39 percent of respondents, and past month use increased from 18.9 percent of respondents to 21.1 percent of respondents.  Tobacco Rural youth also have the highest rates of lifetime, past year, and past month use of tobacco products (including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, cigars, and pipe tobacco) compared to other populations. There was also an increase among rural youth lifetime use (from 46.8 percent to 49.4 percent) and past month use (from 23.3 percent to 24.1 percent) of tobacco products. However, there was a reduction in past years use of tobacco (from 32.8 percent to 31.7).  Illicit Drugs Past month use of illicit drugs among rural youth was higher than all other population groups. Lifetime use of illicit drugs was second highest and past year use ranked third. There was also an increase in illicit drug use among rural youth from 2000 in all three categories: from 28.5 to 30.0 percent in lifetime use, from 18.2 to 21.4 percent in past year use, and from 9.0 to 14.4 percent in past month use. 
Rural Population by State The Northeast states greatly differ in their rural populations. For example, Vermont has the highest percent of rural populations among all 50 states and New Jersey has the second smallest percent of rural population. The following table shows rural population data for the 11 Northeastern states, as well as the percent of rural population in each state :
Please contact the Northeast CAPT at
capt@edc.org for more information.
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