Also...they should include alcohol if they really want to get a comprehensive picture of drug dependence, because alcohol (although it tends to glide under the sensors) presents at least as significant an addiction risk as the opiates (some estimates have the national alcoholism rate as high as 10%). Does Tennessee look as clean when you slosh Bourbon back into the picture?

I note that they were measuring "illicit" use only, but I'm not sure why only that. I don't think it matters whether the opiates you are hooked on are from the street, or from the doctor -- especially when many street habits started with medically prescribed opiates to treat legitimate pain. Also, the increase in marijuana use they speak of, I believe, is as a result of marijuana becoming increasingly available because of legalization, decriminalization or medical prescription -- so that's not actually a measure of illicit drug use either.

Finally...if it's illicit, how the hell do they really know how much is being used?

Interesting article, but the study seems highly flawed in design.

They are just using the wrong drugs.

Free your mind and your ass will follow.

Wait, now even I am confused, within where is this so called heaven found?

Maybe the saying should read, "Free you ass and your mind will follow" - G. Clinton.