Charleston, West Virginia – The rise in deaths from fentanyl overdose has become a concerning trend in recent years, surpassing fatalities from prescription opioids and heroin. This increase in fentanyl-related deaths may be attributed to various factors, including a decrease in opioid prescription rates and the reformulation of drugs like Oxycontin to combat abuse. Additionally, the surge in illegally manufactured fentanyl being mixed with other illicit substances has contributed to the escalating death toll.
Over the decade from 2010 to 2020, the rate of opioid prescriptions per 100 individuals significantly dropped, indicating a shift in the availability of prescription opioids. Despite this decrease, total overdose deaths involving any opioid more than tripled during the same period, pointing to the rise of fentanyl-related fatalities. States like West Virginia, which previously had a high rate of opioid prescriptions, saw a substantial decline in prescription rates, yet the number of overdose deaths continued to climb.
As deaths from prescription opioids and heroin decline, fentanyl overdoses have emerged as the leading cause of drug-related fatalities. Since 2019, fentanyl has been involved in more than half of all drug overdose deaths, highlighting the growing prevalence of this potent synthetic opioid. By 2022, fentanyl accounted for nearly 70% of all drug overdose deaths, underscoring the pressing need for interventions to address this public health crisis.