CDC Data Reveals Substantial Increase in Overdose Deaths in 2020

The CDC released preliminary data on drug overdose death counts in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2020, revealing that 93,331 people died from drug overdoses in the U.S., the highest number ever recorded. Overdose deaths increased about 30% compared to the previous year, the biggest increase since 1999. According to the NCHS data, synthetic opioids and illegally manufactured fentanyl were responsible for about three fourths of overdose deaths. To view NCHS provisional data click here.