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Alcohol Abuse Remains the Leading Substance Abuse Problem in Rural America |
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Although media reports have declared that rural America is facing a methamphetamine crisis, alcohol abuse remains a far more prevalent problem in small towns and rural areas of the country. A new report from The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire shows that alcohol abuse in rural America exceeds illicit drug abuse and that excessive drinking is a serious problem among rural youth, particularly in homes where parents are absent. The report also confirms that the abuse of stimulants, including methamphetamine (or "meth") is high among certain rural populations, particularly among the rural unemployed. "Alcohol abuse remains the most serious substance abuse issue in rural America, particularly among youths and young adults," says Karen Van Gundy, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire, who wrote the report. The report is based on several national studies, including the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which was sponsored by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Twenty-two percent of young adult men have an alcohol abuse problem compared to 12 percent of young adult women.
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