How Many People Die From Drugs? Drug Death Statistics

Key Drug Overdose Death Statistics

• There are over 96,000 that die from drug overdoses in a single year.

• Seven out of every 10 opioid deaths are caused by overdose.
• Since 1999, nearly one million people have died from a drug overdose.

Recent Drug Overdose Deaths

• Between March 2020 and March 2021, overdose deaths were 36% greater than the past year’s total from December 2018 and December 2019, amounting to 71,130 deaths.
• Early reports show that drug overdose deaths in the United States rose 29% in 2020.
• At the beginning of 2021, drug overdose death rates toppled homicides by 306%.

• Motor vehicle wrecks and suicides together killed 84% more than overdoses did.

Drug Overdose Death Rates

• Countrywide, the overdose rate is 21 deaths for every 100,000 people.
• Young people and adults between 15 and 24 years old have a mean yearly overdose rate that’s 12 for every 100,000 people.
• The overdose death rate for the same group is 41% less than the countrywide death rate average.
• Men are two times more likely than women to die from a drug overdose.
• Women die from a drug overdose at a small yearly increase.
• Males between 25 and 34 years old have an overdose death rate that leads women by 146%.
• Opioids are the most dangerous type of drug, with one kind of opioid having a factor of 71% in overdose deaths.

• Opioids are responsible for killing more people than cocaine and are three times the rate.
• Overdose deaths come in immediately under diabetes for the greatest death count.
• From 2018 to 2019, drug overdose rates decreased by 4.6%, the first fall since 2012.

Opioid Overdose Death Rates

• Opioids kill over 136 American each day.
• The nationwide overdose death rate rose 255% from 2000 to 2019.
• The year-over-year increase in death was 51% between 2015 and 2016. Synthetic opioid overdose deaths increased two times that same year.
• Overdose death for all opioids increased by 27% between 2015 and 2016.
• Overdose death rates for heroin rose by 55% yearly rate.
• The overdose death rate for synthetic opioids rose at a yearly rate of 580% in five years between 2012 and 2017.

Overdose Deaths By Demographics

• For men, overdose fatalities have risen at a yearly growth rate of 14%.
• For females, overdose fatalities have grown at a yearly rate of 14.96%.
• Regarding women, Black Americans are at greater risk of dying from an overdose.
• For either gender, Asian and Pacific Islanders are less likely to lose their life from an overdose.
• Men between the ages of 25 and 34 are more at risk than any age group to die from an overdose.
• Within the 25 to 34 male age group, the overdose death rate is about 146% greater than women between the same ages.
• For women, ODs are more frequent for those between 45 and 54 years old.
• In the same 45 or 54-year-old age group, men are 75% more likely to pass.

Drug Overdose Statistics By State

Alabama

• Maryland has the highest overdose death rate in the US, with 4.68% of yearly deaths that are directly caused by drugs.
• The greatest amount of drug overdose fatalities occur in California, with 6,198 on average per year.
• The most per-capita drug overdoses occur in West Virginia, where 52.8 for every 100,000 people in the state suffer from overdoses.
• Wyoming contains a smaller number of overdose fatalities, with around 79 per year.
• The greatest three-year fall in overdose occurred in Oklahoma, with an 8.05% decline in the last year.
• The state of Delaware has the biggest three-year increase in overdoses, with 16% in the last year.

Alaska

• Has 768 annual drug overdoses.
• 1% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by less than 1%.
• Has a death rate of 16 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 21% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 1% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Arizona

• Has 1,907 annual drug overdoses.
• 3% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 9%.
• Has a death rate of 26 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 29% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 2% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Arkansas

• Has 388 annual drug overdoses.
• 1% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses decreased by 0.67%.
• Has a death rate of 13 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 34% lower than the countrywide rate.
• 0.55% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

California

• Has 6,198 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 10%.
• Has a death rate of 15 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 27% lower than the countrywide rate.
• 8% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Colorado

• Has 1,079 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 2%.
• Has a death rate of 18 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 13% lower than the countrywide rate.
• 1% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Connecticut

• Has 1,214 annual drug overdoses.
• 3.89% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 8%.
• Has a death rate of 34 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 67% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 1.73% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Delaware

• Has 435 annual drug overdoses.
• 4% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 16%.
• Has a death rate of 48 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 131% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 0.62% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Florida

• Has 5,268 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses decreased by 0.62%.
• Has a death rate of 25 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 23% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 7.49% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Georgia

• Has 1,408 annual drug overdoses.
• 1.65% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 0.18%.
• Has a death rate of 13 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 36% lower than the countrywide rate.
• 2% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Hawaii

• Has 242 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 2%.
• Has a death rate of 15 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 23% lower than the countrywide rate.
• 0.34% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Idaho

• Has 265 annual drug overdoses.
• 1.86% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 0.57%.
• Has a death rate of 15 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 27% lower than the countrywide rate.
• 0.38% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Illinois

• Has 2,790 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 6%.
• Has a death rate of 21 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 5% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 3% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Indiana

• Has 1,699 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 4%.
• Has a death rate of 26 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 28% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 2% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Iowa

• Has 352 annual drug overdoses.
• 1.16% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 3%.
• Has a death rate of 11 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 44% lower than the countrywide rate.
• 0.50% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Kansas

• Has 403 annual drug overdoses.
• 1% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 8%.
• Has a death rate of 14 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 30% lower than the countrywide rate.
• 0.57% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Kentucky

• Has 1,380 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses lowered by 0.25%.
• Has a death rate of 32 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 57% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 1.96% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Louisiana

• Has 1,267 annual drug overdoses.
• 2.75% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 9%.
• Has a death rate of 28 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 36% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 1% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Maine

• Has 371 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 2%.
• Has a death rate of 29 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 44% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 0.53% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Maryland

• Has 2,369 annual drug overdoses.
• 4% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 4%.
• Has a death rate of 38 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 84% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 3% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Massachusetts

• Has 2,210 annual drug overdoses.
• 3% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses decreased by 0.85%.
• Has a death rate of 32 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 55% more than the countrywide rate.
• 3% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Michigan

• Has 2,385 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 0.43%.
• Has a death rate of 24 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 17% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 3% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Minnesota

• Has 792 annual drug overdoses.
• 1% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 5%.
• Has a death rate of 14 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 31% less than the countrywide rate.
• 1.13% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Mississippi

• Has 394 annual drug overdoses.
• 1% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 5%.
• Has a death rate of 13 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 34% less than the countrywide rate.
• 0.56% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Missouri

• Has 1,583 annual drug overdoses.
• 2.51% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 4.84%.
• Has a death rate of 26 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 29% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 2.25% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Montana

• Has 143 annual drug overdoses.
• 1% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 9%.
• Has a death rate of 14 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 31% less than the countrywide rate.
• 0.20% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Nebraska

• Has 161 annual drug overdoses.
• 0.95% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 11%.
• Has a death rate of 8 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 57% less than the countrywide rate.
• 0.23% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Nevada

• Has 647 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses decreased by 2.52%.
• Has a death rate of 20 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 2.90% less than the countrywide rate.
• 0.92% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

New Hampshire

• Has 407 annual drug overdoses.
• 3.19% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses decreased by 6.31%.
• Has a death rate of 32 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 54% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 0.58% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

New Jersey

• Has 2,805 annual drug overdoses.
• 3.70% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 11%.
• Has a death rate of 31 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 53% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 3% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

New Mexico

• Has 599 annual drug overdoses.
• 3.15% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 6%.
• Has a death rate of 30 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 45% more than the countrywide rate.
• 0.85% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

New York

• Has 3,617 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 0.52%.
• Has a death rate of 18 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 12% less than the countrywide rate.
• 5% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

North Carolina

• Has 2,266 annual drug overdoses.
• 2.41% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 4.95%.
• Has a death rate of 22.3 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 7.73% less than the countrywide rate.
• 3.22% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

North Dakota

• Has 82 annual drug overdoses.
• 1.27% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 3.16%.
• Has a death rate of 11.4 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 44.93% smaller than the countrywide rate.
• 0.12% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Ohio

• Has 4,251 annual drug overdoses.
• 3.42% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 0.88%.
• Has a death rate of 38 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 85% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 6.05% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Oklahoma

• Has 645 annual drug overdoses.
• 1% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses decreased by 8.05%.
• Has a death rate of 16.7 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 19.32% less than the countrywide rate.
• 0.92% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Oregon

• Has 615 annual drug overdoses.
• 1.70% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 5.64%.
• Has a death rate of 14 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 32.37% less than the countrywide rate.
• 0.87% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Pennsylvania

• Has 4,377 annual drug overdoses.
• 3.25% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses decreased by 1%.
• Has a death rate of 35 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 71% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 6.22% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Rhode Island

• Has 307 annual drug overdoses.
• 3.04% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses lowered by 1.43%.
• Has a death rate of 29 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 42% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 0.44% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

South Carolina

• Has 1,127 annual drug overdoses.
• 2.23% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 7.98%.
• Has a death rate of 22.7 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 9.96% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 1.60% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

South Dakota

• Has 86 annual drug overdoses.
• 1% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 11.53%.
• Has a death rate of 10.5 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 49% less than the countrywide rate.
• 0.12% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Tennessee

• Has 2,089 annual drug overdoses.
• 2.94% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 8.49%.
• Has a death rate of 31.2 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 50.72% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 2.97% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Texas

• Has 3,136 annual drug overdoses.
• 1.55% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 2.28%.
• Has a death rate of 10.8 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 47.83% less than the countrywide rate.
• 4.46% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Utah

• Has 571 annual drug overdoses.
• 3.11% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 5.38%.
• Has a death rate of 18.9 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 8.70% less than the countrywide rate.
• 0.81% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Vermont

• Has 133 annual drug overdoses.
• 2% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 2%.
• Has a death rate of 23 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 14% more than the countrywide rate.
• 0.19% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Virginia

• Has 1,547 annual drug overdoses.
• 2.23% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 3.24%.
• Has a death rate of 18.3 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 11% less than the countrywide rate.
• 2.20% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Washington

• Has 1,259 annual drug overdoses.
• 2.21% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 2.99%.
• Has a death rate of 15.8 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 23% less than the countrywide rate.
• 1.79% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

West Virginia

• Has 870 annual drug overdoses.
• 3.71% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 0.93%.
• Has a death rate of 52.8 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 155.07% higher than the countrywide rate.
• 1.24% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Wisconsin

• Has 1,201 annual drug overdoses.
• 2.24% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 3.42%.
• Has a death rate of 21.1 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 1.93% greater than the countrywide rate.
• 1.71% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

Wyoming

• Has 79 annual drug overdoses.
• 1.56% of the deaths in the state are caused by overdose.
• In the last three years, the annual rate of drug overdoses increased by 4.24%.
• Has a death rate of 14.1 deaths for every 100,000 people living in the state.
• The death rate is 31.88% less than the countrywide rate.
• 0.11% of countrywide overdose deaths happen in the state.

How Many People Die From Drugs Each Year?

• Over 96,000 people in the US die from drug overdose every year. Globally, over 150,000 people die from overdoses.