Drug Overdose Death Statistics [2025]: Opioids, Fentanyl & More

Drug overdose deaths are down 2.7% year-over-year.
Key Findings

100k+
Over 105,000 people die from drug overdoses in a year.

76%
Opioids are a factor in over 7 out of every 10 overdose deaths.

1.25M
Drug overdoses have killed over 1.25 million people since 1999.
Related reports include Drug Abuse Statistics | Average Cost of Drug Rehab | Alcohol Abuse Statistics | Teenage Drug Use Statistics | Fentanyl Abuse Statistics | Marijuana Addiction Statistics | Opioid Crisis Statistics | Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics
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Recent Drug Overdose Deaths
More than four (4) times as many people died from drug overdose (OD) than from homicide in the first month of 2023.
107,941 drug overdose deaths were reported in 2022.
OD death totals in America have increased 53.5% between 2019 and 2022.
In 2023, drug overdose deaths exceeded homicides by 338.6% and suicides by 103.0%
Deadliest Drugs in Overdose Fatalities
Drug Name % of Total Overdose Deaths*
Opioids 76%
Psychostimulants 33%0
Cocaine 28%
Heroin 4%
*This chart shows deaths attributed to each drug. Since some deaths involve multiple drug types, percentage totals may exceed 100%.
Drug Overdose Death Rates
Overdose death counts can be deceptive. Just as drug-related deaths aren’t always recorded as overdoses, some overdoses involve multiple drug types.
The national OD rate is 31.3 deaths per 100,000 residents.
Among youth and young adults aged 15 to 24 years old, the average annual OD death rate is 13.5 out of every 100,000.
The OD death rate among this same age group is 56.9% lower than the national average death rate.
Men are more than twice as likely as women to die from drug overdose.
Between 1999-2023, drug overdose death rates rose by 440% among men and by 369% among women.
Among 15- to 34-year-olds, the male OD death rate exceeds women’s by 88.2%.
Opioids are the deadliest category of drugs; at least one type of opioid is a factor in 76% of OD deaths.
Opioids kill nearly three (3) times as many people as cocaine.
Between 2020 and 2023, drug overdose rates increased by 10.6%.
Opioid Overdose Death Rates
The fastest growing drug category among OD deaths is synthetic opioids, and many opioid deaths involve other drugs.
Opioids kill more than 217 Americans every day.
The national opioid OD death rate increased 728% between 1999 and 2023.
38.1% was the sharpest year-over-year increase, occurring between 2019 to 2020.
That same year, the synthetic opioid OD death rate increased by 56.1%.
The second largest year-over-year occurred between 2015 and 2016, where the rate of OD deaths involving any opioid spiked 27.9%.
Heroin OD death rates increased at an average annual rate of 8.8% between 1999 and 2020.
The rate of OD deaths involving synthetic opioids increased at an average annual rate of 36.3% between 2014 and 2023.
Opioid Subcategories
Natural opioids include morphine and codeine.
Semi-synthetic opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone.
Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is usually categorized on its own in official data.
Synthetic opioids other than methadone include tramadol and fentanyl.
Heroin is an illegally manufactured synthetic opioid made from morphine.
Overdose Deaths Among Demographics
Drug overdose trends reveal persistent and growing disparities across gender, age, and race.
Among males, OD deaths have increased at an annual growth rate of 8.2% since 1999.
Among females, OD deaths have increased at an annual growth rate of 7.4%.
Among women, American Indians and Alaska Natives are the most likely to die from an OD.
Among men, American Indians and Alaska Natives are also the most likely to die from an OD.
Among both genders, Asian Americans are the least likely to die due to OD.
Men aged 35 to 44 years old are the most likely among all age groups to die from an OD.
35- to 44-years-old are 4.5 times more likely than 15- to 24-year-olds to die from a drug overdose.
State Drug Overdose Statistics
There is a wide range of overdose death rates among the states; the highest concentration is located in the Northeast, straddling the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Aside from the District of Columbia, West Virginia sees the greatest overdose death rate in the country, with 5.41% of annual deaths attributed to drug overdose.
Washington D.C. has the greatest overdose death rate in the country, with 9.17% of all annual deaths linked to drug overdose.
California had the highest number of drug overdose deaths in 2022 at 10,952.
West Virginia has more drug overdose deaths per capita than any other state, with 80.9 out of every 100,000 residents dying from a drug overdose.
South Dakota sees the lowest rate of overdose deaths, with 11.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents dying from a drug overdose.
South Dakota also has the lowest number of overdose deaths in 2022 at 95.
New Jersey has seen the only largest 3-year decline in the country with a 0.32% decrease in the OD death rate during 2018-2022.
Oregon has seen the largest 3-year increase in OD death rates with an increase of 122.14%.
Alabama
1,492 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.52% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 93.25% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 31.5 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 27.88% less than the national OD death rate.
1.38% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Alabama.
Alaska
254 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.59% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 97.20% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 34.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 31.55% more than the national OD death rate.
0.24% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Alaska.
Arizona
2,664 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.84% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 38.81% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 37.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 10.02% more than the national OD death rate.
2.47% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Arizona.
Arkansas
617 drug overdose deaths per year.
1.73% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 60.74% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 37.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 50.59% less than the national OD death rate.
0.57% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Arkansas.
California
10,952 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.72% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 79.33% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 26.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 6.41% more than the national OD death rate.
10.15% of nationwide OD deaths occur in California.
Colorado
1,811 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.03% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 65.56% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 29.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 15.32% more than the national OD death rate.
1.68% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Colorado.
Connecticut
1,482 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.56% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 16.14% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 40.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 30.49% more than the national OD death rate.
1.37% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Connecticut.
Delaware
549 drug overdose deaths per year.
5.16% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 15.21% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 55.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 47.63% more than the national OD death rate.
0.51% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Delaware.
District of Columbia
451 drug overdose deaths per year.
9.17% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
The OD death rate is 64.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 162.71% more than the national OD death rate.
0.42% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Washington D.C.
Florida
7,551 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.30% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 38.04% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 35.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 5.55% less than the national OD death rate.
7.00% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Florida.
Georgia
2,687 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.78% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 90.08% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 24.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 20.29% less than the national OD death rate.
2.49% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Georgia.
Hawaii
284 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.25% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 16.98% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 18.6 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 35.69% less than the national OD death rate.
0.26% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Hawaii.
Idaho
385 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.34% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 37.09% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 20.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 33.08% less than the national OD death rate.
0.36% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Idaho.
Illinois
3,849 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.38% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 36.99% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 30.0 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 3.10% less than the national OD death rate.
3.57% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Illinois.
Indiana
2,682 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.83% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 54.14% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 41.0 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 9.81% more than the national OD death rate.
2.48% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Indiana.
Iowa
469 drug overdose deaths per year.
1.44% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 33.04% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 15.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 58.74% less than the national OD death rate.
0.43% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Iowa.
Kansas
754 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.58% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 85.31% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 26.5 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 26.23% less than the national OD death rate.
0.70% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Kansas.
Kentucky
2,271 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.58% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 85.31% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 53.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 22.60% more than the national OD death rate.
2.10% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Kentucky.
Louisiana
2,376 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.81% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 92.58% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 54.5 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 37.63% more than the national OD death rate.
2.20% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Louisiana.
Maine
707 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.22% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 81.61% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 54.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 20.87% more than the national OD death rate.
0.65% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Maine.
Maryland
2,573 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.82% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 5.50% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 40.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 37.89% more than the national OD death rate.
2.38% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Maryland.
Massachusetts
2,642 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.32% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 16.51% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 36.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 23.68% more than the national OD death rate.
2.45% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Massachusetts.
Michigan
2,997 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.90% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 25.82% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 30.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 16.92% less than the national OD death rate.
2.78% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Michigan.
Minnesota
1,384 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.81% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 74.65% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 24.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 19.45% less than the national OD death rate.
1.28% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Minnesota.
Mississippi
758 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.16% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 102.94% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 27.6 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 38.07% less than the national OD death rate.
0.70% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Mississippi.
Missouri
2,192 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.30% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 37.17% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 36.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 5.60% less than the national OD death rate.
2.03% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Missouri.
Montana
208 drug overdose deaths per year.
1.86% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 37.59% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 19.4 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 46.79% less than the national OD death rate.
0.19% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Montana.
Nebraska
225 drug overdose deaths per year.
1.23% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 35.63% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 11.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 64.80% less than the national OD death rate.
0.21% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Nebraska.
Nevada
1,003 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.46% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 50.75% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 30.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 0.99% less than the national OD death rate.
0.93% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Nevada.
New Hampshire
486 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.44% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 12.50% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 36.0 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 1.62% less than the national OD death rate.
0.45% of nationwide OD deaths occur in New Hampshire.
New Jersey
2,985 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.96% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 0.32% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 31.6 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 13.42% more than the national OD death rate.
2.77% of nationwide OD deaths occur in New Jersey.
New Mexico
1,024 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.59% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 66.56% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 50.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 31.57% more than the national OD death rate.
0.95% of nationwide OD deaths occur in New Mexico.
New York
6,358 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.92% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 72.53% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 31.4 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 12.27% more than the national OD death rate.
5.89% of nationwide OD deaths occur in New York.
North Carolina
4,310 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.00% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 87.44% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 41.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 14.54% more than the national OD death rate.
3.99% of nationwide OD deaths occur in North Carolina.
North Dakota
148 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.17% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 73.68% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 19.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 37.97% less than the national OD death rate.
0.14% of nationwide OD deaths occur in North Dakota.
Ohio
5,144 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.02% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 19.06% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 48.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 15.25% more than the national OD death rate.
4.77% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Ohio.
Oklahoma
1,196 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.71% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 83.83% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 30.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 22.47% less than the national OD death rate.
1.11% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Oklahoma.
Oregon
1,363 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.20% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 122.14% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 31.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 8.23% less than the national OD death rate.
1.26% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Oregon.
Pennsylvania
5,169 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.74% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 14.89% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 40.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 7.24% more than the national OD death rate.
4.79% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
424 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.06% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 29.15% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 38.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 16.35% more than the national OD death rate.
0.39% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Rhode Island.
South Carolina
2,279 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.93% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 96.92% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 44.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 12.50% more than the national OD death rate.
2.11% of nationwide OD deaths occur in South Carolina.
South Dakota
95 drug overdose deaths per year.
1.11% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 7.62% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 11.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 68.18% less than the national OD death rate.
0.09% of nationwide OD deaths occur in South Dakota.
Tennessee
3,825 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.81% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 79.49% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 56.0 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 37.60% more than the national OD death rate.
3.54% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Tennessee.
Texas
5,489 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.40% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 68.52% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 18.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 31.40% less than the national OD death rate.
5.09% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Texas.
Utah
627 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.95% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 4.76% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 19.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 15.61% less than the national OD death rate.
0.58% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Utah.
Vermont
276 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.08% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 92.86% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 45.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 16.74% more than the national OD death rate.
0.26% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Vermont.
Virginia
2,496 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.19% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 57.38% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 28.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 8.55% less than the national OD death rate.
2.31% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Virginia.
Washington
2,725 drug overdose deaths per year.
4.13% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 113.29% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 33.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 18.20% more than the national OD death rate.
2.52% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Washington.
West Virginia
2,335 drug overdose deaths per year.
5.41% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 53.22% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 80.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 54.82% more than the national OD death rate.
1.24% of nationwide OD deaths occur in West Virginia.
Wisconsin
1,792 drug overdose deaths per year.
3.12% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 50.71% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 31.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 10.77% less than the national OD death rate.
1.66% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Wisconsin.
Wyoming
126 drug overdose deaths per year.
2.26% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
OD deaths increased by 55.32% over the last 3 years.
The OD death rate is 21.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
This is 35.41% less than the national OD death rate.
0.12% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Wyoming.
Drug Overdose Deaths & Death Rates by State
State OD Death Rate OD Deaths
Alabama 31.5 1,492
Alaska 34.3 254
Arizona 37.2 2,664
Arkansas 21.7 617
California 26.9 10,952
Colorado 29.8 1,811
Connecticut 40.3 1,482
Delaware 55.3 549
District of Columbia 64.3 451
Florida 35.2 7,551
Georgia 24.9 2,687
Hawaii 18.6 284
Idaho 20.7 385
Illinois 30.0 3,849
Indiana 41.0 2,682
Iowa 15.3 469
Kansas 26.5 754
Kentucky 53.2 2,271
Louisiana 54.5 2,376
Maine 54.3 707
Maryland 40.3 2,573
Massachusetts 37.4 2,642
Michigan 30.7 2,997
Minnesota 24.8 1,384
Mississippi 27.6 758
Missouri 36.9 2,192
Montana 19.4 208
Nebraska 11.8 225
Nevada 30.3 1,003
New Hampshire 36.0 486
New Jersey 31.6 2,985
New Mexico 50.3 1,024
New York 31.4 6,358
North Carolina 41.8 4,310
North Dakota 19.8 148
Ohio 45.6 5,144
Oklahoma 30.7 1,196
Oregon 31.1 1,363
Pennsylvania 40.9 5,169
Rhode Island 38.1 424
South Carolina 44.7 2,279
South Dakota 11.3 95
Tennessee 56.0 3,825
Texas 18.2 5,489
Utah 19.8 627
Vermont 45.9 276
Virginia 28.8 2,496
Washington 33.7 2,725
West Virginia 80.9 1,335
Wisconsin 31.8 1,792
Wyoming 21.9 126
Sources
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Drug Overdose Mortality by State
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Overdose Death Rates

State	OD Death Rate	OD Deaths
Alabama	31.5	1,492
Alaska	34.3	254
Arizona	37.2	2,664
Arkansas	21.7	617
California	26.9	10,952
Colorado	29.8	1,811
Connecticut	40.3	1,482
Delaware	55.3	549
District of Columbia	64.3	451
Florida	35.2	7,551
Georgia	24.9	2,687
Hawaii	18.6	284
Idaho	20.7	385
Illinois	30.0	3,849
Indiana	41.0	2,682
Iowa	15.3	469
Kansas	26.5	754
Kentucky	53.2	2,271
Louisiana	54.5	2,376
Maine	54.3	707
Maryland	40.3	2,573
Massachusetts	37.4	2,642
Michigan	30.7	2,997
Minnesota	24.8	1,384
Mississippi	27.6	758
Missouri	36.9	2,192
Montana	19.4	208
Nebraska	11.8	225
Nevada	30.3	1,003
New Hampshire	36.0	486
New Jersey	31.6	2,985
New Mexico	50.3	1,024
New York	31.4	6,358
North Carolina	41.8	4,310
North Dakota	19.8	148
Ohio	45.6	5,144
Oklahoma	30.7	1,196
Oregon	31.1	1,363
Pennsylvania	40.9	5,169
Rhode Island	38.1	424
South Carolina	44.7	2,279
South Dakota	11.3	95
Tennessee	56.0	3,825
Texas	18.2	5,489
Utah	19.8	627
Vermont	45.9	276
Virginia	28.8	2,496
Washington	33.7	2,725
West Virginia	80.9	1,335
Wisconsin	31.8	1,792
Wyoming	21.9	126