Drug Overdose Death Rates

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

Key Findings

96k+

Over 96,700 people die from drug overdoses in a year.

72%

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

1M

Drug overdoses have killed almost a million people since 1999.

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

Drug Used in OD	% of Total Deaths*
Opioids	67.8%
Cocaine	21.2%
Psychostimulants	20.6%
Methadone	4.03%

*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).

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

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.

Drug Overdose Deaths & Death Rates by State

State	OD Deaths	OD Death Rate*
Alabama	768	1.41%
Alaska	132	2.96%
Arizona	1,907	3.22%
Arkansas	388	1.20%
California	6,198	2.31%
Colorado	1,079	2.80%
Connecticut	1,214	3.89%
Delaware	435	4.61%
Florida	5,268	2.56%
Georgia	1,408	1.65%
Hawaii	242	2.12%
Idaho	265	1.86%
Illinois	2,790	2.54%
Indiana	1,699	2.59%
Iowa	352	1.16%
Kansas	403	1.46%
Kentucky	1,380	2.83%
Louisiana	1,267	2.75%
Maine	371	2.52%
Maryland	2,369	4.68%
Massachusetts	2,210	3.74%
Michigan	2,385	2.41%
Minnesota	792	1.77%
Mississippi	394	1.22%
Missouri	1,583	2.51%
Montana	143	1.43%
Nebraska	161	0.95%
Nevada	647	2.62%
New Hampshire	407	3.19%
New Jersey	2,805	3.70%
New Mexico	599	3.15%
New York	3,617	2.30%
North Carolina	2,266	2.41%
North Dakota	82	1.27%
Ohio	4,251	3.42%
Oklahoma	645	1.58%
Oregon	615	1.70%
Pennsylvania	4,377	3.25%
Rhode Island	307	3.04%
South Carolina	1,127	2.23%
South Dakota	86	1.08%
Tennessee	2,089	2.94%
Texas	3,136	1.55%
Utah	571	3.11%
Vermont	133	2.21%
Virginia	1,547	2.23%
Washington	1,259	2.21%
West Virginia	870	3.71%
Wisconsin	1,201	2.24%
Wyoming	79	1.56%