U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths by Type (and How They Changed in the Past Decade)
Despite countless anti-drug campaigns and public health initiatives, drug overdoses are at an all-time high in the United States. This pervasive and complex problem has only worsened over the last 30 years, leaving countless families and communities mourning loved ones in its wake. Though drug overdoses have been increasing steadily since the late 20th century, there have been some alarming shifts recently. In just a decade, fentanyl overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, even beating out car accidents. With more than 100,000 people dying in the United States each year from drug-involved overdoses, this epidemic has become one of the most devastating public health crises in the history of the country. In this report from Joslyn Law Firm, we’ve compiled the data on drug overdoses from government organizations to examine how the related deaths have changed over the last ten years.
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Statistics on U.S. Overdose Deaths
Since 1999, preventable drug overdoses have increased an alarming 792% in the United States. In 2022, the rate increased by 1.3% from the previous year. According to national statistics, the overdose death rate is 21.6 deaths per 100,000 residents. Behind this number lies a complex web of social, medical, and economic factors contributing to the crisis.
California and Florida, two of the most populous states in the country, lead the nation in overdose deaths, and the majority of the deaths were from opioids, specifically synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Currently, men are more than twice as likely as women to die from an overdose, but that gap is narrowing slightly. Women’s overdose death rates are increasing at a faster annual pace, with American Indian and Alaska Native women being the most likely to die from an OD. African American men are the most likely to die among males. While most overdose deaths occur in individuals aged 25-35 years old, older women are more likely to die than younger women.
Despite public awareness campaigns and policy efforts, the problem has grown larger and become more complex. Recent trends reveal not just the scale of the issue but also its changing face, with synthetic drugs, evolving demographics, and new drug combinations driving much of the current devastation.
What’s Changing in Overdose Death Trends?
The past decade has seen several notable changes in the types of drugs as well as the demographics involved in overdose deaths. According to the CDC, key changes include:
1. Rising Synthetic Drug Deaths
The most dramatic shift is the surge in deaths linked to synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl. Fentanyl has become infamous for its potent, often deadly effects. Lately, this illicit substance has been getting mixed in with other popular street drugs, often without the user’s knowledge, which has contributed to its sharp increase in overdoses.
2. Shifts in Age Groups
Overdose deaths among younger people aged 15-35 have declined slightly, but rates for individuals aged 35 and older have risen.
3. Race and Ethnicity Trends
Overdose death rates have increased across most racial groups, except Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and non-Hispanic white populations, where rates have remained stable or slightly decreased. Black and Hispanic communities have seen increases.
4. Fewer Heroin Deaths but More Cocaine and Psychostimulant Abuse
While much of the past year’s data is concerning, there is good news: heroin-related overdose deaths have declined. Potentially a sign that awareness campaigns and tighter restrictions on opioids are having an effect, this victory has sadly been offset by a rise in deaths involving cocaine and psychostimulants like methamphetamine, as well as synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Three Waves of America’s Ongoing Drug Epidemic and the Rise of Fentanyl
America’s overdose crisis has unfolded in three distinct waves, each tied to specific changes in drug use and availability.
1. The Painkiller Epidemic
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, pharmaceutical companies aggressively marketed prescription opioids to patients experiencing both acute and chronic pain. Often, they downplayed the addictive potential of these drugs and encouraged doctors to prescribe them. In time, this led to a dramatic increase in opioid prescriptions and a corresponding spike in addiction and overdose deaths.
2. Heroin Resurgence
By the 2010s, regulations around addictive prescription drugs had tightened. Having lost access to these substances they were already addicted to, many users turned to heroin, a cheaper and more accessible alternative. Heroin overdose deaths peaked in the mid-2010s but have shown signs of decreasing in the decade since.
3. Fentanyl and Synthetic Drugs
The third and most devastating wave began around 2013, driven by the rise of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. These substances are up to 50 times more potent than heroin and are often mixed with other drugs, making them extremely dangerous. The DEA has even found that 42% of pills taken from the street contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug. Today, fentanyl is a leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S., responsible for thousands of lives lost each year.
What Can Be Done?
The overdose epidemic is a complex and evolving public health crisis, but it is not insurmountable. While there is no one simple solution at hand, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has outlined a multi-faceted approach for preventing overdoses, including prevention, harm reduction, evidence-based treatment, and recovery support.
By addressing the root causes of addiction, expanding access to treatment, and supporting harm reduction initiatives, we can reduce the devastating impact of overdose deaths. And, according to the DEA, there is some reason to hope things might improve. 2024 will be the first year since 2018 that has seen a decrease in overdose deaths.
Every individual lost to the United States drug epidemic represents not just a statistic but a friend, family member, or neighbor. If you or a loved one need legal representation for a drug-related criminal allegation, Joslyn Law Firm can help. Contact us today to see how we can organize your criminal defense.
U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths From 2012-2022
- Opioid-related deaths rose by 67% from 2017 to 2023. However, there may be hope on the horizon.
- The CDC has reported a 14.5% decrease in overall drug overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024.
- About 7 out of 10 counterfeit opioid pills contained a deadly dose of synthetic fentanyl. That is a near-double increase from 4 out of 10 pills in 2021.
- In 2023, the DEA seized 77 million fentanyl pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. That amounts to over 386 million deadly doses – enough to kill every American.
| Drug + 2022 Deaths | 2012 Deaths |
| All Overdoses
107,941 |
41,502 |
| All Opioids
81,806 |
23,166 |
| Synthetic Opioids (mainly Fentanyl)
73,838 |
2,628 |
| Psychostimulants (mainly Methamphetamine)
34,022 |
2,635 |
| Cocaine
27,569 |
4,944 |
| Benzodiazepines
10,964 |
6,524 |
| Xylazine (“Tranq”)
6,070 |
Unknown – Between 2020 and 2021, Xylazine-positive overdose deaths increased by 1,127% in the South, 750% in the West, more than 500% in the Midwest, and more than 100% in the Northeast. |
| Heroin
5,871 |
5,925 |
| Antidepressants
5,863 |
4,259 |
Sources:
National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
United States Drug Enforcement Administration. https://www.dea.gov/engage/operation-engage-seattle
This page was last updated by Brian Joslyn
