Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Addiction Statistics
Heroin and opiates are the primary drugs of concern in Pennsylvania, and are responsible for a large amount of the overdose deaths in the state. Most heroin in Pennsylvania comes from new York City, but a large portion is also imported from Latin America. Prescription drugs are diverted from pharmacies and often traded between friends and families to users. Many people who become addicted to prescription opiates will turn to heroin because it is significantly less expensive.
Crack cocaine and – to a lesser extent – powdered cocaine is present throughout the state in both rural and urban areas. Methamphetamine is not commonly used in Pennsylvania. Ecstasy is popular among “rave” scenes and college campuses.
Marijuana is common throughout the state. Most of the marijuana present is grown in the many rural areas of the state.
Around 57% of adult Pennsylvanians report drinking at least one alcoholic beverage in the past month, which matches the national average. About 17% of adult Pennsylvanians reported binge drinking (having five or more drinks on one occasion) in the past year, which puts them at eighth in the country for highest rates of binge drinking.
Underage drinking in Pennsylvania also mirrors US statistics. Approximately 38% of high school students reported having at least one alcoholic beverage in the past month, while 22% reported binge drinking in the past month. These rates have remained fairly consistent for the past several years.
Pennsylvania does not have rates of behavioral disorders that vary significantly from the national averages.