Almost one quarter of Americans regularly "take drugs to affect their mood and help them relax" according to the latest poll by Gallup [3]; but which states are the most (and least) medicated?
click image for large legible version...
[4]
As Gallup notes, West Virginians are most likely to report near-daily use of drugs or medications that alter their mood or help them relax, followed by residents of Rhode Island. Southern states make up six of the top 10 highest drug use states, while Alaskans, Wyomingites and Californians are least likely to say they use such drugs almost every day.
[5]
Source: Gallup [3]
Meanwhile, when it comes to illegal drug use, the following chart shows drug busts across the country in the three years from 2009-2012...
[6]
...and here's where the weed charges were handed down...
[7]
...and here's the distribution of coke and meth charges with Arizona taking the top spot on a per capita basis...
[8]
[9]
...while Delaware wins for heroin charges...
[10]
Here's the 30,000 foot view which shows percentage of illegal drug users on a state-by-state basis:
[11]
Source: National Geographic