Study shows drugs a problem among rural kids

A new study shows teens in rural America are more likely to smoke, drink and use illegal drugs than kids in urban centers. State Drug Czar Bruce Upchurch is part of the group which commissioned the study — and he says it’s results are no surprise.Upchurch, the head of the Governor’s Alliance on Substance Abuse, says the study counters the stereotype that drugs are mainly an urban problem.Upchurch says Iowa law enforcement knows the drug problem is pervasive in rural Iowa, particularly the “meth” problem.Upchurch says there aren’t enough substance abuse treatment programs in rural Iowa, either.Upchurch says one of the problems in rural Iowa is that there’s little for teenagers to do.