Yesterday, we learned about just how unhealthy Missourians are, with our cigarette-smoking, BBQ-eating, vaccine-shunning ways.
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says we have really unhealthy and dangerous habits, too. Namely, plenty of Missourians admitted to driving drunk or while high on drugs between 2006 and 2009.
The study put together by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says 14.8 percent of Missourians drove after drinking during that time span. And while our moms and law enforcement officers are very disappointed, SAMHSA pats Missouri on the back for that number and says we're on the list of significantly improved states.
From 2002-2005, SAMHSA reports, 18.6 percent of state residents drove while messed up. Yay?
Statistically, Missourians are less into hotboxing or doing lines off
the dashboard, with 4.3 to 4.7 percent driving under the influence of
illicit drugs. That might also be because meth dealers driving around shaking
and baking need to be sober to make sure they don't burn their junk off.
In news that will shock nobody who has
lived or attended an institute of higher education in Wisconsin, the Badger
State claims the highest rate of drunk drivers with 23.7 percent. The
druggiest motorists -- 7.8 percent! -- are found in Rhode Island.
