The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new data that shows drug overdose deaths in the United States reached an all-time high. According to the March 2024 report, 107,941 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2022, a slight increase from 2021, which equates to over 295 people a day.
Image Source: CDC, 2024
Fatal overdoses from opioids accounted for nearly 76% of all overdose deaths, with fentanyl contributing to over 90% of all opioid-related deaths. The data also revealed an 8% uptick in overdoses related to stimulants (e.g., cocaine and methamphetamine).
Image Source: CDC, 2024
The rise in overdose deaths between 2021 and 2022 did not affect Americans equally. Adults aged 65 and older had the largest percent increase in drug overdoses – a 10% increase in one year. Rates were highest for adults ages 35-44 in both 2021 and 2022. Likewise, American Indian and Alaska Native people in both 2021 and 2022 experienced the highest overdose death rate and increased by 15% in 2022, enduring the largest percent increase in drug overdose deaths among all other racial groups.