Rapid City, S.D. – A recent federal report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers encouraging news for families, churches and community leaders across South Dakota and northeast Wyoming. The data show that teenagers who consider religious beliefs a central part of their lives are significantly less likely to report using alcohol, vaping nicotine or experimenting with illicit drugs.
Key findings from the national survey
The SAMHSA “Data Spotlight” examined responses from adolescents ages 12 to 17 who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health between 2022 and 2025. In 2025, 68.4% of respondents said they agreed or strongly agreed that religious beliefs were very important to them, up from 60.8% in 2022. Across the board, those who marked faith as very important reported lower rates of substance use than peers who disagreed.
The pattern held true for both males and females and spanned a range of economic backgrounds. While the report does not claim that faith directly causes the lower usage rates, the association is clear and consistent.
Why faith matters in rural communities
“This reflects what other studies have shown, that there is a link between stronger religious beliefs and lower levels of substance use,” said Dr. Timothy Westlake, chief of staff for SAMHSA. He emphasized that faith‑based organizations often serve as gathering places and support networks for families in rural areas, offering mentorship, safe activities and a sense of belonging that can steer young people away from risky behavior.
Dr. Monty Burks, director of the Center for Faith at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, added that churches and other faith communities can play a proactive role in prevention efforts. By providing counseling, after‑school programs and parental‑education resources, these groups help reinforce healthy decisions at home and in the wider community.
What the data do not prove
Federal officials cautioned that the report identifies an association, not causation. Researchers stressed that the findings should not be interpreted as proof that religious belief directly reduces substance use, nor that substance use influences how important a teenager rates religion.
“We see a strong correlation, but many factors contribute to a teen’s choices,” the report notes. Family involvement, school programs, peer influences and economic conditions all play a role.
Resources for families and youth
For families concerned about mental‑health or substance‑use crises, SAMHSA reminds readers that help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. Additional treatment resources can be found at FindTreatment.gov.
Community leaders in Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Cheyenne and surrounding towns are encouraged to partner with local churches, schools and youth organizations to build on these findings. By fostering environments where faith, family and positive peer connections thrive, the region can continue to protect its young people from the harms of alcohol, nicotine and illicit drugs.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
