For this infographic on American drug use, each state is assigned a "drug of choice" based upon what law enforcement deems most the harmful illicit drug to the public in a particular area. For most of the United States, one drug that absolutely dominates the map is Methamphetamine—what's interesting is that the country is nearly split in half, with the other side showing a preference for cocaine. And although still very notorious in three US states, heroin isn't cited as the drug of choice in most places.
The 'Drug Free? Think Again!' infographic also highlights the highest cases of drug arrests and trafficking, and unsurprisingly, most of these happen on the coasts. The enlightening infographic comes from Clarity Way, a drug and alcohol rehab center.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Rising Methamphetamine Use
- There is an opportunity for rehab centers to specifically address the growing issue of methamphetamine addiction across the United States.
- Cocaine Dominance
- Drug traffickers and law enforcement should focus on the eastern half of the US, where cocaine use is the drug of choice in most states.
- Decline of Heroin Use
- Businesses that target drug abuse could market themselves to states where heroin usage is still a prominent issue.
Where This Applies
- Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers
- As different regions of the country struggle with different drug addictions, there is an opportunity for rehab centers to cater to specific substances based on the drug of choice in a particular area.
- Law Enforcement
- The areas where cocaine and methamphetamine are most prevalent should be made a priority for drug enforcement operations.
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- As the prevalence of methamphetamine addiction grows, there is a need for continued research and development of medications that can effectively counteract the harmful effects of this drug in the human brain.
