About the Indicator: For the first time, in the 2014/2015 version of the survey, respondents to the Minnesota Survey of Adult Substance Use (MNSASU) were asked, "In your opinion, how much do people risk harming themselves physically or in other ways when they... use prescription drugs not prescribed for them?"

Data Source: Minnesota Survey of Adult Substance Use (MNSASU)

Description: The Minnesota Survey on Adult Substance Use is conducted to obtain current estimates of the number of adults in the general population in Minnesota who are abusing or dependent on alcohol or other drugs and are in need of treatment. The prevalence of substance abuse and dependence and need for treatment were assessed for the total population, and by region, race and ethnicity, gender, age group, and sexual orientation.  The population for this survey included Minnesota residents 18 years of age or older and non-institutionalized.

Sponsored by: Minnesota Department of Human Services, Performance Measurement and Quality Improvement

Geographic Level: State, Region. 

Frequency: The most recent survey was conducted in 2015; previous surveys were conducted in 2010 and 2004.

Characteristics: The sample was stratified by region, and African Americans, American Indians, Latinos, Hmong and other Asian Americans were over-sampled to ensure adequate numbers of respondents to provide reliable estimates for these sub-groups. The survey instrument included demographic information, diagnostic measures of abuse of and dependence on alcohol or drugs, use of treatment services, depression, serious mental illness and body weight. These data are self-reported.