Maryland ranks among the states with the lowest levels of drug-related issues in the country, according to a new 2026 study released by personal finance company WalletHub.
The report, which comes ahead of National Prevention Week, analyzed all 50 states and Washington, D.C. across 20 key indicators tied to drug use and its impacts. Those metrics included overdose rates, drug-related arrests, opioid prescriptions, and access to treatment programs.
Maryland placed 48th overall in the rankings, meaning it has the fourth lowest level of drug problems nationwide. The state showed mixed results across individual categories. Maryland ranked 15th for the share of teenagers who reported using illicit drugs in the past month and 29th for adult usage. In terms of opioid prescriptions, Maryland ranked 39th, indicating relatively lower prescription rates compared to many other states.
Maryland performed better in enforcement-related metrics, ranking 47th for drug arrests per capita, suggesting fewer drug-related arrests relative to population size.
However, the data also highlights areas for improvement. Maryland ranked 18th for drug overdose deaths per capita, placing it closer to the middle of the pack in that category. The state also ranked 45th for substance abuse treatment facilities per 100,000 people among those using illicit drugs, pointing to more limited access to treatment compared to other states.
Drug Abuse & Prevention in Maryland (1=Biggest Problem; 25=Avg.):
- Overall Rank: 48th
- 15th – Share of Teenagers Who Used Illicit Drugs in the Past Month
- 29th – Share of Adults Who Used Illicit Drugs in the Past Month
- 39th – Opioid Pain Reliever Prescriptions per 100 People
- 18th – Drug Overdose Deaths per Capita
- 47th – Drug Arrests per Capita
- 45th – Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities per 100,000 People (Age 12+) Using Illicit Drugs
To view the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/drug-use-by-state/35150
