States Where Fatal Drug Overdoses Are Rising Fastest

Drugs are a terrible problem in our world. It can be overwhelming to think about, especially when the news is full of stories of overdoses, arrests, and other problems that are associated with drugs of many different varieties. Like many issues, the drug problem is worse in some states than others, and in many cases, drug overdoses are increasing at rapid rates. To protect your family and help you make an educated decision about your welfare, we have a list of the states where fatal drug overdoses are rising the fastest.

Many drugs are contributing to overdoses and deaths. Some, including cocaine and heroin, have been around for many years, and they contribute to the rising cases. However, there’s also a growing issue with the drug fentanyl, resulting in many overdoses because it’s up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. That means even a small dose, as minute as 2 milligrams, can lead to major health complications. What’s worse is that many drug dealers will mix fentanyl with the drugs they’re selling, and it can be lethal. It has been noted that many buyers are unaware the drugs they’re buying have been laced with a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl.

This list is important because it can help you to make decisions for yourself and your family. It’s vital that you know what’s out there so you don’t become a victim, even if you don’t use drugs recreationally. Of the 15 states on this list, many may surprise you. It’s a good reminder that you must always be careful regardless of where you live. To learn more about this topic, check out this list that mentions the city in every state with the most fatal overdoses.

To identify the states where fatal drug overdoses are rising fastest, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the National Center for Health Statistics, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. States are ranked on the change in deadly overdoses reported between the 12 months through November 2023 and the same period one year earlier.

16. New Mexico

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 0.7%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 998
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 991

15. Arizona

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 1%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 2,772
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 2,745

14. California

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 2.7%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 11,950
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 11,638

13. Texas

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 5%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 5,602
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 5,335

12. West Virginia

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 6.1%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 1,373
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 1,294

11. Colorado

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 7.1%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 1,957
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 1,828

10. Alabama

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 7.2%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 1,558
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 1,454

9. Idaho

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 8%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 378
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 350

8. Wyoming

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 9.2%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 130
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 119

7. District of Columbia

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 9.2%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 629
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 576

6. Utah

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 9.5%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 691
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 631

5. Hawaii

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 10.3%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 310
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 281

4. Nevada

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 22.9%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 1,368
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 1,113

3. Oregon

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 32.4%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 1,722
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 1,301

2. Washington

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 33.6%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 3,476
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 2,602

1. Alaska

• Change in fatal drug overdoses: 45.9%
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2023: 337
• Fatal drug overdoses, 12 mos. ending Nov 2022: 231

Here’s a look at the fastest-growing causes of death in America.