Drug Use in South Dakota
South Dakota has a population of 924,669 people. The most recent data from the 2023-2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that approximately 99,000 people over the age of 12 had used illegal substances in the past month, around 10.71% of the population. 88,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 141,000 in the past year.
The report also found that 10,000 South Dakota residents had used cocaine in the past year, 11,000 had used meth, and 23,000 had misused prescription pain medication. 2,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse, including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl, in South Dakota totaled 25,000 people.
Alcohol Use in South Dakota
Alcohol misuse was also reported in South Dakota, with 377,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 169,000 reporting binge drinking. The perceived risk of people over 12 years of age indulging in problematic alcohol use (5 or more drinks twice a week) in a month was 298,000 people.
Overdose Rates in South Dakota
In 2021, South Dakota saw a total of 87 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in South Dakota at 9.7 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 377 people.
Addiction Treatment Statistics in South Dakota
The NSDUH report also recorded the total number of substance use disorders in South Dakota and those who currently require treatment. The report found that approximately 128,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 83,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 14,000 people were recorded as having an OUD, including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders.
The NSDUH report also measures the gap between the people who need SUD treatment and those who actually receive it. It found that 143,000 people in South Dakota were classified as needing treatment in the past year, 28,000 received treatment for an SUD, and 113,000 did not receive the treatment they were classified as needing.
Government Assistance for Addiction Treatment in South Dakota
The South Dakota Department of Health offers various programs and strives to help reduce drug and alcohol addiction in the state. They have a tobacco prevention and control program to help current smokers quit and reduce nonsmokers' exposure to secondhand smoke.
For more help with locating treatment centers and talking to a trained professional, you can contact the department at 605-773-3361
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