Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

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Prescription Narcotic Consumption

Sun, June 6, 2008

This interactive map shows the annual change in prescription narcotic consumption across the country between 1997 and 2006. By combining reports from the Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Diversion Control and annual population estimates from the US Census, the Sun was able to determine which states were using more and how they compared to others.

Select one of the seven substances the Sun examined in its reporting of this new drug epidemic (Hydocodone, Oxycodone, Methadone, Morphine, Codeine, Fentanyl or Meperidine) from the top left and then move the slider at the bottom to change the year -- the map will change accordingly.

Also, try rolling the mouse over each state to get specific information on the drug in 2006, including the percent change in milligrams per person since 1997 (and how many doses that equates to) and where the state ranks in consumption of the drug.

SOURCE: Drug Enforcement Administration, US Census