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.