"The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in the United States decreased 4.0% from 2022 (32.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population) to 2023 (31.3) (Table). The jurisdictions with the highest rates in 2023 were West Virginia (81.9) and the District of Columbia (60.7), and the states with the lowest rates were Nebraska (9.0) and South Dakota (11.2) (Figure 1, Table).
"Between 2022 and 2023, age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths decreased in 20 states and did not change significantly in 25 states (Figure 2, Table). The rate increased between 2022 and 2023 in 6 states: Alabama, Alaska, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
"Nationally, between 2022 and 2023, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths decreased for deaths involving any opioid and synthetic opioids other than methadone (which includes fentanyl), and increased for deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential (which includes methamphetamine) and cocaine (Table). Changes in rates varied by jurisdiction across drug type. Between 2022 and 2023, rates for drug overdose deaths involving any opioid decreased in 20 states and increased in 9 states. Rates for deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone decreased in 17 states and increased in 11 states. Rates for deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential other than methadone decreased in 9 states and increased in 6 states. Rates for deaths involving cocaine decreased in 3 states and increased in 13 states."
Garnett MF, Miniño AM. Changes in drug overdose mortality and selected drug type by state: United States, 2022 to 2023. NCHS Health E-Stats. 2025. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.15620/ cdc/174578.
