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Drug overdose deaths in 28 states and the District of Columbia : 2020 data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System
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August 2022
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[PDF-238.74 KB]
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Description:Key findings:
• Two overarching COVID-19-related themes were identified among overdose decedents
• during January–June 2020: physical and mental impacts of the pandemic and missed touchpoints or opportunities for intervention.
• Commonly noted physical and mental impacts that may have contributed to increased overdose deaths included depression, stress, anxiety, job loss, financial strain, and altered living arrangements due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as COVID-19 symptoms or diagnosis.
• Missed touchpoints and intervention opportunities identified were lack or spatial separation of bystanders, changes in treatment for substance use disorders, cancellation or postponement of other medical appointments, and early release from criminal justice system.
• Efforts to address missed touchpoints and opportunities for intervention (e.g., ensuring continuity of treatment for substance use disorders and addressing mental health impacts) for persons who use drugs are essential to prevent rises in overdose deaths during future emergencies.
There were 91,799 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2020, a 30% increase from 2019, which began accelerating in March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency on March 13, 2020 and during March 1–May 31, 2020, 42 states and territories issued mandatory stay-at-home orders. The pandemic and vital public health mitigation measures designed to reduce disease spread potentially led to unintended social and economic consequences (e.g., depression, health care disruption), which can increase overdose risk. These consequences, combined with interruptions and changes in illicit drug supply, possibly contributed to increased fatal overdose risk for persons who use drugs (PWUD).
Suggested citation: Tanz LJ, Dinwiddie AT, Snodgrass S, O’Donnell J, Mattson CL, Davis NL. A qualitative assessment of circumstances surrounding drug overdose deaths during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. SUDORS Data Brief, No 2. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2022.
SUDORS-COVID-DataBrief-22.pdf
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Content Notes:Key Findings -- Introduction -- Data Source and Methods -- Results -- Discussion -- Definitions and Technical Notes -- About the Authors -- Suggested Citation -- Acknowledgements -- Figure 1 -- For more information -- Footnotes -- References
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