Report: Unintentional drug overdose deaths fell 5% in 2022
The number of Ohioans dying from unintentional drug overdoses dropped five percent in 2022 as the national number climbed slightly at one percent, according to the Ohio Department of Health’s 2022 Ohio Unintentional Drug Overdose Report released Friday.
Ohio’s 4,915 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2022 follows the state’s record total 5,174 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2021.
“While the numbers headed in the right direction last year, they are no cause for celebration,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA. “Tragically, thousands of Ohioans are still dying from substance use disorders. I urge Ohioans to do what they can to prevent these deaths, from learning how to use naloxone to knowing where to turn for help for you or a loved one in need.”
Other highlights from the report include:
• In 2022, illicit fentanyl or fentanyl analogs were involved in 81 percent of unintentional drug overdose deaths in Ohio, often in combination with other drugs.
• From 2021 to 2022, unintentional drug overdose deaths involving heroin had the largest decrease (-43 percent), followed by deaths involving benzodiazepines (-16 percent).
• From 2021 to 2022, unintentional drug overdose deaths involving stimulant drug categories had the largest increases.
• In 2022, Black non-Hispanic males continued to have the highest rate of unintentional drug overdose deaths in Ohio compared with other sex and race/ethnicity groups.
“Combatting the overdose crisis is a priority for Governor DeWine,” said RecoveryOhio Director Aimee Shadwick. "Ohio's reduced overdose rates in 2022 signal a step forward in our battle against substance use. However, the fight is far from over. Each life lost reminds us of the urgency to unite, implement change and save those in the grip of this crisis."
ODH’s report follows Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement last month of a $100 million investment in federal funds to help communities fight opioid addiction and prevent overdose deaths.
Please note: Data in the 2022 Ohio Unintentional Drug Overdose Report reflects new national standards used in the creation of race categories. At this time, population files from the federal government reflecting these standards were available for 2020 through 2022 only. Accordingly, ODH advises caution in comparing these rates to those in reports prior to 2020.
For more information and resources, visit:
• Naloxone Ohio (https://naloxone.ohio.gov/get-naloxone/individual). Provides Ohioans with a simplified process for accessing naloxone, a lifesaving drug used in the event of an opioid overdose.
• Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone). This is a network of opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution programs coordinated by the Ohio Department of Health (https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/project-dawn/project-dawn).
• RecoveryOhio.gov.