Addiction in Mississippi is a serious issue that affects many people across the state. In 2016, more than 31% of Mississippi residents over the age of twelve reported using alcohol in the past month, with nearly 17% admitting to binge drinking. When it comes to drug use, the numbers are also concerning. Over 227,000 people in Mississippi disclosed using illicit substances in the past month, and sadly, that includes 17,000 minors. Illicit substances include things like cocaine, heroin, marijuana, alcohol, methamphetamines, and even prescription medications like hydrocodone or Ritalin when they're misused.
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The situation is particularly alarming when you look at the number of people who need treatment. In 2017, over 7,600 people were admitted to substance abuse treatment facilities in Mississippi. However, this is only a small fraction of the 190,000 residents who need help. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health reports that each year, an average of 12,000 young people in the state are struggling with alcohol or drug dependence, yet the resources to help them are limited. In 2015, only 185 young people received treatment funding from the state.
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Opioid abuse is another major problem in Mississippi. Unlike other states, where heroin use is on the rise, the bigger issue in Mississippi is the misuse of prescription pain medications. In 2017, more than 104,000 people in Mississippi were misusing these drugs. The state has a high rate of prescriptions for painkillers, with more than 92 prescriptions written per 100 people that year. While efforts like the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) have helped, Mississippi remains one of the top states for prescribing these medications, contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis.
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Other substances, like marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine, also pose significant challenges. Although marijuana is not legal in Mississippi, it has been decriminalized, and nearly 170,000 residents used it in 2017. Alcohol use is widespread, with 935,000 people reporting they drank alcohol in the past month, and over 500,000 admitting to binge drinking. Cocaine use, while less common, still affects thousands, with around 32,000 residents reporting they used the drug in the past year.