[V&L]

I am thinking about moving to Vermont with my kids, but recently I have been scared away because it seems Vermont became one of the worst States in terms of drug use, even illicit drugs like heroin. Any thought from those who live there? Is it really that common compared to other States? Thanks!

[darky]

Drugs are everywhere. Your kids will most likely try some of them in their lifetime, no matter where you live. Don't base your relocation on that.

[tkln]

I don't want to sound unhelpful, but if you do a search on the forum you'll find this has been discussed at length in a few posts...there have been several folks who wondered the same thing over the past year.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by V&L

I am thinking about moving to Vermont with my kids, but recently I have been scared away because it seems Vermont became one of the worst States in terms of drug use, even illicit drugs like heroin. Any thought from those who live there? Is it really that common compared to other States? Thanks!

I see you're looking into Kentucky as well.

This report covers both states, and what it has to say doesn't bode well for KY:

Drug Abuse 2013 data for Kentucky

STATE-BY-STATE DRUG OVERDOSE MORTALITY RANKINGS

Note: Rates include total drug overdose mortality rates, the majority of which are from prescription drugs. 1 = Highest rate of drug overdose fatalities,51 = lowest rate of drug overdose fatalities. Rankings are based on data from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, WONDER Online Database, 2010.The numbers are based on the number of people per 100,000.

1. West Virginia**** (28.9); 2. New Mexico (23.8); 3. Kentucky**** (23.6); 4. Nevada (20.7); 5. Oklahoma*** (19.4); 6. Arizona (17.5); 7. Missouri*** (17); 8. (tie) Tennessee** and Utah (16.9); 10. Delaware** (16.6); 11. Florida** (16.4); 12. Ohio*** (16.1); 13. Rhode Island** (15.5); 14. Pennsylvania (15.3); 15. Wyoming*** (15); 16. South Carolina*** (14.6); 17. Indiana**** (14.4); 18. Michigan*** (13.9); 19. Louisiana*** (13.2); 20. Washington (13.1); 21. (tie) District of Columbia and Montana** and Oregon** (12.9); 24. Colorado (12.7); 25. Arkansas** (12.5); 26. (tie) Alabama*** and Idaho** and New Hampshire** (11.8); 29. Alaska (11.6); 30. (tie) Mississippi***and North Carolina** (11.4); 32. (tie) Maryland and Massachusetts (11); 34. (tie) Hawaii and Wisconsin** (10.9); 36. Georgia*** (10.7); 37. California (10.6); 38. Maine (10.4); 39. Connecticut (10.1); 40. Illinois (10); 41. New Jersey (9.8); 42. Vermont** (9.7); 43. (tie) Kansas** and Texas (9.6); 45. Iowa**** (8.6); 46. New York (7.8); 47. Minnesota** (7.3); 48. Virginia (6.8); 49. Nebraska** (6.7); 50. South Dakota (6.3); 51. North Dakota (3.4).

**Drug Overdose Mortality Rates doubled from 1999 to 2010

*** Drug Overdose Mortality Rates tripled from 1999 to 2010

**** Drug Overdose Mortality Rates quadrupled from 1999 to 2010

[thunderkat59]

Originally Posted by V&L

I am thinking about moving to Vermont with my kids, but recently I have been scared away because it seems Vermont became one of the worst States in terms of drug use, even illicit drugs like heroin. Any thought from those who live there? Is it really that common compared to other States? Thanks!

My wife worked in school districts in both VT and KY. Drugs are plague that is everywhere. Rutland had a heroin epidemic when we were there, and State Police were making educators go to training on the meth plague that was creeping up that way. Rutland is not Vermont finest moment and I think there are school districts in VT that the plague isnt as deeply rooted. In KY, it is everywhere. There are some schools where its less, but KY is a poor, rural state. It has been hit hard by the epidemic. Kentucky is very similar to Vermont minus the 8 months of snow and darkness, though

[CatwomanofV]

As others have already said, drugs are everywhere. The difference between Vermont & other states is that Vermont is not trying to sweep it under the rug and hoping that if we ignore the problem it will go away. We all aware of it and the state is trying to address the issue. And thanks to Gov Shumlin, now EVERYONE knows it. Unfortunately, what everyone sees is that Vermont has the problem but not the fact that Vermont is trying to tackle it.



Cat

[jchughes05]

I can tell you from a law enforcement standpoint, drugs, including heroin, are everywhere, in all communities... rich, poor, middle class...

[mpowe027]

I know this is a few months out, but I'm bored, so I'll reply. I will preface my response by telling you I love in NH not VT. Drug use seems to be more of an issue among people who live here but don't like small town life. I don't know how old your kids are but if they're the type who love exploring nature, hate big city life, and crave solitude and close knit family interactions, then you probably won't have much to be worried about. When I was more sociable, and living in TN near the KY boarder, everyone that I knew that did hard drugs hated where they lived and wanted a cheap quick fix.

[Ellwood]

Vermont, like most states, has a heroin problem. Keep in mind when comparing places like VT and KY, Vermont has a population of approx. 608,000 vs KY of approx. 4 million, VT covers 9,620 sq. miles while KY covers 39,486 sq. miles. So when someone states that VT has a worse heroin problem you need to consider the numbers.