Drug Overdose Death Rates

Drug overdose deaths are up 30% year-over-year.

Key Findings

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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 2021.

• 96,779 drug overdose deaths were reported from March 2020 to March 2021.
• OD death totals during this period are 36.1% higher than the previous annual high from December 2018 to December 2019 (71,130 deaths).
• Preliminary reports indicate the number of drug overdose deaths in America increased 29.6% in 2020.
• In January 2021, drug overdose deaths exceeded homicides by 306.7%.
• Motor vehicle accidents and suicides combined killed 84.5% as many as ODs.

Deadliest Drugs

*This chart includes attributable deaths for each drug; some deaths involve multiple drug types, and percentage totals will 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 21.6 deaths per 100,000 residents.
• Among youth and young adults aged 15 to 24 years, the average annual OD death rate is 12.6 out of every 100,000.
• The OD death rate among this same age group is 41.9% lower than the national average death rate.
• Men are more than twice as likely as women to die from drug overdose.
• Women are dying from drug overdoses at a slightly faster annual rate.
• Among 25- to 34-year-olds, the male OD death rate exceeds women’s by 146.8%.
• Opioids are the deadliest drug type; at least one type of opioid is a factor in 71.76% of ODs.
• Opioids kill more than three (3) times as many people as cocaine.
• OD deaths rank just below diabetes in terms of highest death count.
• Between 2018 and 2019, drug overdose rates fell by 4.6% and for the first time since 2012.

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 136 Americans every day.
• The national OD death rate increased 255.74% between 2000 and 2019.
• 21.5% was the sharpest year-over-year increase, from 2015 to 2016.
• That same year, the synthetic opioid OD death rate doubled.
• The rate of OD deaths involving any opioid spiked 27.89% from 2015 to 2016.
• Heroin OD death rates increase at an average annual rate of 55.7%.
• The rate of OD deaths involving synthetic opioids increased at an annual rate of 580% over five years (2012-2017).

Overdose Deaths Among Demographics

Rapid release data is unavailable, and demographics likely shifted during the recent pandemic.

• Among males, OD deaths have increased at an annual growth rate of 14.16%.
• Among females, OD deaths have increased at an annual growth rate of 14.96%.
• Among women, American Indian and Alaska Natives are the most likely to die from an OD.
• Among men, Black or African Americans are the most likely to die from an OD.
• Among both genders, Asian or Pacific Islanders are the least likely to die due to OD.
• Men aged 25 to 34 years old are the most likely among all age groups to die from an OD.
• Among men in that age group, the OD death rate is 146.82% higher than women in the same age group.
• Among women, overdose deaths are most common among 45- to 54-year-olds.
• Among that age group, men are still 75.64%.

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.

• Maryland sees the greatest overdose death rate among all deaths, with 4.68% of annual deaths attributed to drug overdose.
• California has the highest number of drug overdose deaths at 6,198.
• West Virginia has more drug overdose deaths per capita than any other state (52.8 out of every 100,000 residents).
• Nebraska sees the lowest rate of overdose deaths at 0.95%, with 8.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• Wyoming has the lowest number of overdose deaths at 79.
• Oklahoma has seen the largest 3-year decrease at an 8.05% annual decline.
• Delaware has seen the largest 3-year increase at an annual growth rate of 16.0%.

*Rate of OD deaths among all deaths of all types.Alabama

• 768 drug overdose deaths per year.
• 1.41% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at a 0.51% annual rate over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 16.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 21.26% below the national death rate.
• 1.09% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Alabama.

Alaska

• 132 drug overdose deaths per year.
• 2.96% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 4.79% over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 17.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 14.01% below the national average death rate.
• 0.19%% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Alaska.

Arizona

• 1,907 drug overdose deaths per year.
• 3.22% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 9.74% over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 26.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 29.47% above the national average death rate.
• 2.71%% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Arizona.

Arkansas

• 388 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.20% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 0.67% over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 13.5 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 34.78% below the national average death rate.
• 0.55% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Arkansas.

California

• 6,198 drug overdose deaths per year.
• 2.31% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 10.37% over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 15.0 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 27.54% below the national average death rate.
• 8.81%% of nationwide OD deaths occur in California.

Colorado

• 1,079 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.80% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 2.85% over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 18.0 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 13.04% below the national average death rate.
• 1.58% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Colorado.

Connecticut

• 1,214 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.89% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 8.38% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 34.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 67.63% above the national average death rate.
• 1.73% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Connecticut.

Delaware

• 435 overdose deaths per year.
• 4.61% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 16.03% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 48 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 131.88% above the national average death rate.
• 0.62% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Delaware.

Florida

• 5,268 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.56% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 0.62% over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 25.5 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 23.19% above the national average death rate.
• 7.49% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Florida.

Georgia

• 1,408 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.65% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 0.18% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 13.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 36.71% below the national average death rate.
• 2.00% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Georgia.

Hawaii

• 242 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.12% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 2.93% over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 15.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 23.19% below the national average death rate.
• 0.34% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Hawaii.

Idaho

• 265 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.86% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 0.57% over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 15.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 27.05% below the national average OD death rate.
• 0.38% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Idaho.

Illinois

• 2,790 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.54% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 6.16% over the last 3 years.
• The death rate is 21.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 5.80% above the national average OD death rate.
• 3.97% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Illinois.

Indiana

• 1,699 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.59% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 4.49% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 26.6 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 28.50% above the national average OD death rate.
• 2.42% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Indiana.

Iowa

• 352 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.16% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 3.93% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 11.5 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 44.44% below the national average OD death rate.
• 0.50% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Iowa.

Kansas

• 403 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.46% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 8.89% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 14.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 30.92% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.57% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Kansas.

Kentucky

• 1,380 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.83% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 0.25% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 32.5 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 57.00% above the national average OD death rate.
• 1.96% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Kentucky.

Louisiana

• 1,267 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.75% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 9.16% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 28.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 36.71% above the national average OD death rate.
• 1.80% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Louisiana.

Maine

• 371 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.52% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 2.73% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 29.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 44.44% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.53% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Maine.

Maryland

• 2,369 overdose deaths per year.
• 4.68% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 4.83% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 38.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 84.54% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 3.37% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Maryland.

Massachusetts

• 2,210 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.74% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 0.85% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 32.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 55.07% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 3.14% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Massachusetts.

Michigan

• 2,385 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.41% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 0.43% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 24.4 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 17.87% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 3.39% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Michigan.

Minnesota

• 792 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.77% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 5.46% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 14.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 31.40% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 1.13% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Minnesota.

Mississippi

• 394 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.22% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 5.07% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 13.6 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 34.30% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.56% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Mississippi.

Missouri

• 1,583 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.51% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 4.84% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 26.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 29.95% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 2.25% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Missouri.

Montana

• 143 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.43% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 9.94%.
• The OD death rate is 14.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 31.88% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.20% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Montana.

Nebraska

• 161 overdose deaths per year.
• 0.95% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 11.85% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 8.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 57.97% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.23% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Nebraska.

Nevada

• 647 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.62% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 2.52% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 20.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 2.90% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.92% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Nevada.

New Hampshire

• 407 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.19% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 6.31% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 32 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 54.59% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.58% of nationwide OD deaths occur in New Hampshire.

New Jersey

• 2,805 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.70% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 11.81% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 31.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 53.14% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 3.99% of nationwide OD deaths occur in New Jersey.

New Mexico

• 599 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.15% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 6.39% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 30.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 45.89% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.85% of nationwide OD deaths occur in New Mexico.

New York

• 3,617 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.30% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 0.52% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 18.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 12.08% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 5.14% of nationwide OD deaths occur in New York.

North Carolina

• 2,266 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.41% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 4.95% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 22.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 7.73% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 3.22% of nationwide OD deaths occur in North Carolina.

North Dakota

• 82 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.27% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 3.16% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 11.4 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 44.93% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.12% of nationwide OD deaths occur in North Dakota.

Ohio

• 4,251 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.42% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 0.88% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 38.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 85.02% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 6.05% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Ohio.

Oklahoma

• 645 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.58% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 8.05% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 16.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 19.32% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.92% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Oklahoma.

Oregon

• 615 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.70% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 5.64% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 14 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 32.37% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.87% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Oregon.

Pennsylvania

• 4,377 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.25% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 1.00% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 35.6 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 71.98% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 6.22% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island

• 307 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.04% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 1.43% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 29.5 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 42.51% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.44% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Rhode Island.

South Carolina

• 1,127 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.23% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 7.98% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 22.7 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 9.66% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 1.60% of nationwide OD deaths occur in South Carolina.

South Dakota

• 86 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.08% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 11.53% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 10.5 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 49.28% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.12% of nationwide OD deaths occur in South Dakota.

Tennessee

• 2,089 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.94% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 8.49% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 31.2 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 50.72% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 2.97% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Tennessee.

Texas

• 3,136 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.55% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 2.28% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 10.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 47.83% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 4.46% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Texas.

Utah

• 571 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.11% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 5.38% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 18.9 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 8.70% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.81% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Utah.

Vermont

• 133 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.21% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 2.89% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 23.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 14.98% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.19% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Vermont.

Virginia

• 1,547 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.23% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 3.24% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 18.3 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 11.59% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 2.20% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Virginia.

Washington

• 1,259 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.21% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 2.99% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 15.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 23.67% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 1.79% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Washington.

West Virginia

• 870 overdose deaths per year.
• 3.71% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 0.93% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 52.8 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 155.07% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 1.24% of nationwide OD deaths occur in West Virginia.

Wisconsin

• 1,201 overdose deaths per year.
• 2.24% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths increased at an annual rate of 3.42% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 21.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 1.93% higher than the national average OD death rate.
• 1.71% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Wisconsin.

Wyoming

• 79 overdose deaths per year.
• 1.56% of all deaths are from drug overdose.
• OD deaths decrease at an annual rate of 4.24% over the last 3 years.
• The OD death rate is 14.1 deaths out of every 100,000 residents.
• This is 31.88% lower than the national average OD death rate.
• 0.11% of nationwide OD deaths occur in Wyoming.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Drug Overdose Mortality by State
• CDC, National Center for Health Statistics: Data Finder
• CDC, Opioid Overdose: Drug Overdose Deaths
• CDC, Data Brief 394
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Trends & Statistics: Overdose Death Rates

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