With 107,543 recorded deaths in the year 2023, the drug overdose crisis continues to be a significant public health issue in the United States.
A detailed study by Amethyst Recovery Center and KFF has analyzed drug overdose statistics from January to December 2022 to measure the scope of this epidemic. Utilizing census population data, the research calculated the rate of fatal overdoses per 100,000 people across various states and prepared a list from highest to lowest incidence of drug-related fatalities.
Nicholas Bellofatto, Director of Admissions at Amethyst Recovery Center, comments that drug overdoses are a top cause of injury-related deaths. Factors like socioeconomic conditions and drug accessibility influence these rates.
Based on their report, we have compiled a list of states with the highest and lowest drug overdose rates, reflecting the uneven impact of this crisis across the country.
Here are the top 5 states from their list.
West Virginia
According to the study mentioned above, West Virginia reportedly witnessed 1335 deaths from drug overdose in the year 2022. The death rate equals 75.3 people per 100,000 people, one of the highest per capita overdose death rates in the U.S.
The state is particularly impacted by opioid abuse, including prescription painkillers and fentanyl as well as heroin. Dr. Matthew Christiansen of the state’s Office of Drug Control commented recently that they are putting their best efforts to put an end to West Virginia’s fatal drug overdose crisis.
Tennessee
Tennessee struggles with a significant drug overdose issue, driven by opioids such as heroin and fentanyl. In 2022 the state reported 3825 deaths from drug overdose, with synthetic opioids being a major factor. The fatal overdose rate of 54.3 makes it the 2nd highest state. A study on mental health and substance abuse highlights that the pandemic contributed heavily to the drug overdosing tendency in Tennessee. The state continues to combat the crisis through expanded access to naloxone and substance abuse treatment programs.
Delaware
In recent years, Delaware has seen a significant increase in fatalities, with 2022 reporting around 549 overdose deaths. The fatality rate in this state was 53.9 per 100,000 people. Very recently, U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss commented on the state’s strict punitive measures regarding illegal drug sales. Efforts to address the crisis include enhanced naloxone distribution, public awareness campaigns, and increased access to addiction treatment and recovery services.
Louisiana
Louisiana has experienced a significant rise in drug overdose deaths, with opioids such as fentanyl being major contributors. In 2022, the state reported a sharp increase in fatalities, reporting 2376 overdose deaths. New Orleans and Baton Rouge are among the hardest-hit areas. With a drug overdose fatality rate of 51.8, Louisiana is responding with governmental initiatives to combat the crisis. Expanded access to naloxone, improved addiction treatment services, and active public health campaigns are some of the measures taken by the government.
Maine
Maine is facing a challenging drug overdose death crisis, with opioids such as fentanyl being the primary contributor. In 2022, the state experienced an alarming rise in overdose deaths, totaling 707. The death rate from drug overdose incidents in Maine stood at 50.8. Maine has focused on broader naloxone distribution, enhancing treatment and recovery options. The state government also launched public health campaigns to increase awareness and reduce stigma.
Nicholas Bellofatto quoted, “The opioid epidemic is a particular problem, with opioids such as prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl causing around 75% of total overdose deaths. Thankfully, there are ways to address drug addiction and many individuals can recover with the right support. “
Following are the states from the Amethyst Recovery Centre’s report where drug overdose death rates are way lower than the national average of 32.6.
South Dakota
South Dakota’s drug overdose death rate remains relatively low due to several factors. The state’s smaller population and lower urbanization reduce exposure to drug trafficking and high-risk environments. Additionally, South Dakota has proactive public health initiatives like the Start-SD and effective law enforcement emphasizing prevention and early intervention. The state had the lowest drug overuse death rate of 10.4 with only 95 deaths in 2022 because of these combined efforts.
Nebraska
Nebraska has the 2nd lowest death rate of 11.4 from drug overdose in America. Around 225 people died from this unfortunate crisis in the state in the year 2022. Effective public health strategies and community efforts help lower Nebraska’s drug overdose situation. The state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) helps track and regulate opioid prescriptions, reducing misuse. The 2020 Nebraska Opioid Prevention and Treatment Act focuses on the prevention, education, and treatment of opioid misuse.
Iowa
Iowa’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) helps prevent opioid misuse by tracking prescriptions. Initiatives like the Iowa Consortium for Substance Abuse Research and Evaluation focus on prevention, education, and access to treatment. With the help of such community efforts, Iowa has achieved the 3rd lowest drug overuse death rate of 14.7 with around 469 deaths in 2022.
Texas
Despite its large population, Texas maintains a relatively low drug overdose death rate. The state’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) helps control the distribution of opioids. Texas also invests in prevention and education through initiatives like the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) program, which expands access to treatment and recovery services. Around 5,489 Texans died from drug overdose in 2022, making the death rate 18.3.
Utah
Utah has several effective initiatives that continuously work towards ending substance overuse. Controlled Substance Database Program helps monitor and control prescription drug distribution. The Utah Opioid Task Force works on prevention, treatment, and education strategies. Additionally, programs like the Utah Naloxone program provide support and resources to individuals struggling with substance use disorders. All these efforts resulted in Utah achieving a low death rate of 18.5, with 627 deaths from drug overdose in 2022.