MIA = Missing in Alaska

My little brother and I have been telling people about this for years: Richard Hills was one of 3,323 people reported missing in the state last year, not a record but far higher, relative to population, than anywhere else in the country. On average, 5 of every 1,000 people go missing every year, roughly double the national rate. Since Alaska began tracking the numbers in 1988, police have received at least 60,700 reports of missing people. As everywhere else, most cases involve runaways who eventually return home or are found. But Alaska has the highest percentage of people who stay missing. Investigators have compiled a list of about 1,100 people who remain lost. This in a state whose population — 650,000 — is less than that of San Francisco. "If someone wants to drop off the face of the earth and not have anybody know," Brusseau said, "this is one place you can do it." click here for the whole amazing article on LA Times - free registration may be required. It's painless though. **MORE EVIDENCE** Utah also had the lowest rate of illegal drug use among residents 12 and older: About 6 percent had used illicit drugs in the past month. That was half the 12 percent rate in Alaska, which was the highest in the country. The national average was just over 8 percent. now a CNN article affirms what I've been telling you people for YEARS. ---