Atlanta, Georgia – Drug overdoses have become a significant concern in the United States, leading to a rise in injury-related deaths among adults over the past few decades. Data from the National Vital Statistics System show an increase in overdoses involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl and stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine over recent years. This report delves into the rates of drug overdose deaths over a 20-year period, focusing on demographic groups and the types of drugs involved, particularly opioids and stimulants, from 2021 to 2022.
In 2022, there were 107,941 drug overdose deaths in the United States, with an age-adjusted rate of 32.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population. While the overall rate nearly quadrupled between 2002 and 2022, it remained stable between 2021 and 2022. The data also revealed a slight increase in the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths for males and a decrease for females from 2021 to 2022, although the female decrease was not significant.
Regarding age groups, the rate of drug overdose deaths decreased among adults aged 15–24 and 25–34 but increased among those aged 35 and older from 2021 to 2022. Adults aged 65 and older saw the largest percentage increase in drug overdose death rates during this period.
Moreover, the age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths varied among different racial and ethnic groups. American Indian and Alaska Native individuals had the highest rates, while Asian individuals had the lowest. Rates increased for most racial and ethnic groups from 2021 to 2022, except for White and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander individuals.
The report also highlighted the trend of increasing age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone over the past decade. Additionally, rates of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine and psychostimulants with abuse potential continued to rise from 2011 through 2022.
In conclusion, while the overall rate of drug overdose deaths remained stable between 2021 and 2022, there were notable shifts in rates among different demographic groups. Understanding these trends is critical in addressing the ongoing public health crisis of drug overdoses in the United States.