Key points
- The MMWR overdose series provides reports on recent and historical overdose related topics like illegal and prescription opioids (e.g., fentanyl, heroin), polysubstance use, psychostimulants, benzodiazepines, xylazine, naloxone, and cannabis.
- These articles include the latest overdose related scientific information from CDC, as well as historical publications on nonfatal and fatal overdoses, substance use related harms, and substance use disorder.
Articles
MMWR Overdose Topics Reports
Tanz LJ, Stewart A, Gladden RM, et al. Detection of Illegally Manufactured Fentanyls and Carfentanil in Drug Overdose Deaths — United States, 2021–2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:1099–1105. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7348a2
Vivolo-Kantor AM, Mattson CL, Zlotorzynska M. Notes from the Field: Ketamine Detection and Involvement in Drug Overdose Deaths — United States, July 2019–June 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:1010–1012. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7344a4
Dinwiddie AT, Gupta S, Mattson CL, et al. Reported Non-Substance Related Mental Health Disorders Among Persons Who Died of Drug Overdose - United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:747–753. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7334a3.
Glidden E, Gladden RM, Dion C, et al. Suspected Counterfeit M-30 Oxycodone Pill Exposures and Acute Withdrawals Reported from a Single Hospital — Toxicology Investigators Consortium Core Registry, U.S. Census Bureau Western Region, 2017–2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:642–647. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7329a2
Dowell D, Brown S, Gyawali S, et al. Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Population Estimates — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:567–574. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7325a1
Jiang X, Connolly S, Strahan AE, et al. Reported Xylazine Use Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years Evaluated for Substance Use Treatment — United States, July 2022–September 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:594–599. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7326a2
García MC, Rossen LM, Matthews K, et al. Preventable Premature Deaths from the Five Leading Causes of Death in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Counties, United States, 2010–2022. MMWR Surveill Summ 2024;73(No. SS-2):1–11. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7302a1
Tanz LJ, Gladden RM, Dinwiddie AT, et al. Routes of Drug Use Among Drug Overdose Deaths — United States, 2020–2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:124–130. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7306a2.
Connolly S, Govoni TD, Jiang X, et al. Characteristics of Alcohol, Marijuana, and Other Drug Use Among Persons Aged 13–18 Years Being Assessed for Substance Use Disorder Treatment — United States, 2014–2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:93–98. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7305a1
O’Donnell J, Tanz LJ, Miller KD, et al. Drug Overdose Deaths with Evidence of Counterfeit Pill Use — United States, July 2019–December 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:949–956. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7235a3
Roehler DR, Smith H IV, Radhakrishnan L, et al. Cannabis-Involved Emergency Department Visits Among Persons Aged <25 Years Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, 2019–2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:758–765. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7228a1
Kariisa M, O’Donnell J, Kumar S, et al. Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl–Involved Overdose Deaths with Detected Xylazine — United States, January 2019–June 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:721–727. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7226a4
Hoots BE, Li J, Hertz MF, et al. Alcohol and Other Substance Use Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021. MMWR Suppl 2023;72(Suppl-1):84–92. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7201a10
Russell E, Sisco E, Thomson A, et al. Rapid Analysis of Drugs: A Pilot Surveillance System To Detect Changes in the Illicit Drug Supply To Guide Timely Harm Reduction Responses — Eight Syringe Services Programs, Maryland, November 2021–August 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:458–462. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7217a2
Wilkins NJ, Krause KH, Verlenden JV, et al. School Connectedness and Risk Behaviors and Experiences Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021. MMWR Suppl 2023;72(Suppl-1):13–21 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7201a2
Harper CR, Li J, Sheats K, et al. Witnessing Community Violence, Gun Carrying, and Associations with Substance Use and Suicide Risk Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021. MMWR Suppl 2023;72(Suppl-1):22–28. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7201a3
Dittus PJ, Li J, Verlenden JV, et al. Parental Monitoring and Risk Behaviors and Experiences Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021. MMWR Suppl 2023;72(Suppl-1):37–44. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7201a5
Rikard, SM, Strahan, AE, Schmit, KM, Guy, GP Jr. Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:379–385. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7215a1
Tanz LJ, Dinwiddie AT, Mattson CL, O’Donnell J, Davis NL. Drug Overdose Deaths Among Persons Aged 10–19 Years — United States, July 2019–December 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1576–1582. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7150a2
Dowell D, Ragan KR, Jones CM, Baldwin GT, Chou R. CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022. MMWR Recomm Rep 2022;71(No. RR-3):1–95. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7103a1
Dinwiddie AT, Tanz LJ, Bitting J. Notes from the Field: Antihistamine Positivity and Involvement in Drug Overdose Deaths — 44 Jurisdictions, United States, 2019–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1308–1310. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7141a4
Bitting J, O’Donnell J, Mattson CL. Notes from the Field: Overdose Deaths Involving Para-fluorofentanyl — United States, July 2020–June 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1239–1240. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7139a3
Casillas SM, Pickens CM, Stokes EK, Walters J, Vivolo-Kantor A. Patient-Level and County-Level Trends in Nonfatal Opioid-Involved Overdose Emergency Medical Services Encounters — 491 Counties, United States, January 2018–March 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1073–1080. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7134a1
Kariisa M, Davis NL, Kumar S, et al. Vital Signs: Drug Overdose Deaths, by Selected Sociodemographic and Social Determinants of Health Characteristics — 25 States and the District of Columbia, 2019–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 19 July 2022. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7129e2
Thomas SA, Dinwiddie AT, Monroy E. Notes from the Field: Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths Among Hispanic or Latino Persons — Nevada, 2019–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:667–669. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7119a4
Mattson CL, Chowdhury F, Gilson TP. Notes from the Field: Trends in Gabapentin Detection and Involvement in Drug Overdose Deaths — 23 States and the District of Columbia, 2019–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:664–666. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7119a3
O’Donnell J, Tanz LJ, Gladden RM, Davis NL, Bitting J. Trends in and Characteristics of Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyls — United States, 2019–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 14 December 2021.
Niles JK, Gudin J, Vivolo-Kantor AM, et al. Notes from the Field: Testing for Nonprescribed Fentanyl and Percentage of Positive Test Results Among Patients with Opioid Use Disorder — United States, 2019–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1649–1651.
Kariisa M, Patel P, Smith H, Bitting J. Notes from the Field: Xylazine Detection and Involvement in Drug Overdose Deaths — United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1300–1302.
Liu S, O’Donnell J, Gladden RJ, McGlone L, Chowdhury F. Trends in Nonfatal and Fatal Overdoses Involving Benzodiazepines — 38 States and the District of Columbia, 2019–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1136-1141.
Aldy K, Mustaquim D, Meyn A, et al. Notes From the Field: Illicit benzodiazepines detected in patients with suspected opioid overdose—four states, October 6, 2020-March 9, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1177-1179.
Mattson CL, Tanz LJ, Quinn K, Kariisa M, Patel P, Davis NL. Trends and Geographic Patterns in Drug and Synthetic Opioid Overdose Deaths — United States, 2013–2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:202–207.
O'Donnell J, Gladden RM, Mattson C, et al. Vital Signs: Characteristics of drug overdose deaths involving opioids and stimulants — 24 states and the District of Columbia, January–June 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69(35);1189–1197.
Liu S, Scholl L, Hoots B, Seth P. Nonfatal Drug and Polydrug Overdoses Treated in Emergency Departments — 29 States, 2018–2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69(34);1149–1155.
Jones CM, Clayton HB, Deputy NP, et al. Prescription Opioid Misuse and Use of Alcohol and Other Substances Among U.S. High School Students — National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69(Suppl-1):38–46.
Wilson N, Kariisa M, Seth P, et al. Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths—United States, 2017-2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:290-297.
Vivolo-Kantor AM, Hoots BE, Scholl L, et al. Nonfatal Drug Overdoses Treated in Emergency Departments — United States, 2016–2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:371–376.
Jones CM, Compton WM, Mustaquim D. Patterns and Characteristics of Methamphetamine Use Among Adults — United States, 2015–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:317–323.
Schieber LZ, Guy GP Jr, Seth P, Losby JL. Variation in Adult Outpatient Opioid Prescription Dispensing by Age and Sex — United States, 2008–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:298–302
O’Donnell J, Gladden RM, Goldberger BA, Mattson CL, Kariisa M. Notes from the Field: Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths with Fentanyl or Fentanyl Analogs Detected — 28 States and the District of Columbia, July 2016–December 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:271–273.
O’Donnell J, Gladden M, Mattson C, Kariisa M. Notes from the Field: Overdose Deaths with Carfentanil and Other Fentanyl Analogs Detected – 10 States, July 2016-June 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019;67(27);767-768.
Gladden M, O’Donnell J, Mattson C, Seth P. Changes in Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths by Opioid Type and Presence of Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine – 25 States, July-December 2017 to January-June 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019:68(34);737-744.
Guy G, Haegerich T, Evans M, Losby J, Young R, Jones C. Vital Signs: Pharmacy-Based Naloxone Dispensing – United States 2012-2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019:68(31);679-686.
Kariisa M, Scholl L, Wilson N, Seth P, Hoots B. Drug Overdose Deaths involving Cocaine and Psychostimulants with Abuse Potential – United States, 2003-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019:68(17);41-43.
O’Malley-Olsen E, O’Donnell J, Mattson C, Schier J, Wilson N. Notes from the Field: Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths with Kratom Detected—27 States, July 2016 – December 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019:69(14);326-327.
Springer Y, Gladden M, O’Donnell J, Seth P. Numbers of Fentanyl Drug Submissions—United States, 2010-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019: 68(2);41–43.
Scholl L, Seth P, Kariisa M, Wilson N, Baldwin G. Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths – United States, 2013-2017. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 21 December 2018.
Mattson CM, O’Donnell J, Kariisa M, Seth P, Scholl L, Gladden RM. Opportunities to prevent Overdose Deaths involving prescription and illicit opioids, 11 states, July 2016-June 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2018; 67(34);945–951
Cash R, Kinsman J, Crowe R, Rivard M, Faul M, Panchal A. Naloxone Administration Frequency During Emergency Medical Service Events — United States, 2012–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018; 67(31);850–853.
O’Donnell J, Gladden RM, Mattson CL, Kariisa M. Notes from the Field: Overdose Deaths with Carfentanil and Other Fentanyl Analogs Detected — 10 States, July 2016–June 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2018; 67(27);767–768.
Jackson K, Bohm M, Brooks J, Asher A, Nadle J, Bamberg W, Petit S, Ray S, Harrison L, Lynfield R, Dumyati G, Schaffner W, Townes J, See I. Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections Among Persons Who Inject Drugs-Six Sites, 2005-2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2018;67(22):625-628.
Seth P, Scholl L, Rudd RA, Bacon S. Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids, Cocaine, and Psychostimulants — United States, 2015–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018; 67(12);349–358. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6712a1
Vivolo-Kantor AM, Seth P, Gladden RM, et al. Vital Signs: Trends in Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Opioid Overdoses — United States, July 2016–September 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67(9);279–285.
O’Donnell JK, Halpin J, Mattson CL, Goldberger BA, Gladden RM. Deaths involving fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and U-47700 — 10 states, July 1–December 31, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017;66:1197–1202.
O’Donnell JK, Gladden RM, Seth P. Trends in Deaths Involving Heroin and Synthetic Opioids Excluding Methadone, and Law Enforcement Drug Product Reports, by Census Region — United States, 2006–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2017;66:897–903.
Guy Jr GP, Zhang K, Bohm MK, et al. Vital Signs: Changes in opioid prescribing in the United States, 2006-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66(26):697-704.
Somerville NJ, O’Donnell J, Gladden RM, et al. Characteristics of Fentanyl Overdose — Massachusetts, 2014–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017;66:382–386.
Faul M, Bohm M, Alexander C. Methadone Prescribing and Overdose and the Association with Medicaid Preferred Drug List Policies — United States, 2007–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017;66:320–323.
Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. Increases in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2010–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 16 December 2016.
Barbour KE, Boring M, Helmick CG, Murphy LB, Qin J. Prevalence of Severe Joint Pain Among Adults with Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis — United States, 2002–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:1052–1056.
García MC, Dodek AB, Kowalski T, et al. Declines in Opioid Prescribing After a Private Insurer Policy Change — Massachusetts, 2011–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:1125–1131.
Gladden RM, Martinez P, Seth P. Fentanyl Law Enforcement Submissions and Increases in Synthetic Opioid–Involved Overdose Deaths — 27 States, 2013–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2016; 65(33);837–843.
Peterson AB and Gladden RM, Delcher C, Spies E, Garcia-Williams A, Wang Y, Halpin J, Zibbell J, McCarty CL, DeFiore-Hyrmer J, DiOrio, M, and Goldberger B. Increases in fentanyl-related overdose deaths – Florida and Ohio, 2010-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2016; 65(33);844–849.
Jones CM, Baldwin GT, Manocchio T, White JO, Mack KA. Trends in Methadone Distribution for Pain Treatment, Methadone Diversion, and Overdose Deaths — United States, 2002–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016; 65:667–671.
Dowell D, Haegerich TM, Chou R. CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain — United States, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep.2016; 65:1–49.
Rudd RA, Aleshire N, Zibbell JE, Gladden RM. Increases in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths — United States, 2000–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015; 64(50);1378-82.
Paulozzi LJ, Strickler GK, Kreiner PW, Koris CM. Controlled Substance Prescribing Patterns — Prescription Behavior Surveillance System, Eight States, 2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2015; 64(SS09):1-14.
Jones CM, Logan J, Gladden RM, Bohm MK. Vital Signs: Demographic and Substance Use Trends Among Heroin Users — United States, 2002–2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2015; 64(26):719-725.
Paone D, Tuazon E, Kattan J, Nolan ML, O’Brien DB, Dowell D, Farley TA, Kunins HV. Decrease in Rate of Opioid Analgesic Overdose Deaths — Staten Island, New York City, 2011–2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2015; 64(18):491-494.
Rudd RA, Paulozzi LJ, et al. Increases in Heroin Overdose Deaths — 28 States, 2010 to 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2014; 63: 849-854.
Johnson H, Paulozzi LJ, Porucznik C, Mack K, Herter B. Decline in drug overdose deaths after state policy changes – Florida, 2010-2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2014; 63(26):569-574.
Jones CM, Paulozzi LJ, Mack KA. Alcohol Involvement in Opioid Pain Reliever and Benzodiazepine Drug Abuse–Related Emergency Department Visits and Drug-Related Deaths — United States, 2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2014; 63: 881-885.
Paulozzi LJ, Mack KA, Hockenberry JM. Vital Signs: Variation Among States in Prescribing of Opioid Pain Relievers and Benzodiazepines — United States, 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2014; 63(26);563-568.
Johnson H, Paulozzi LJ, Porucznik C, Mack K, Herter B. Decline in Drug Overdose Deaths After State Policy Changes — Florida, 2010–2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2014; 63(26);569-574.
Mack KA, Jones CM, Paulozzi LJ. Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers and Other Drugs Among Women — United States, 1999–2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2013; 62(26);537-542.
Paulozzi LJ, Mack KA, Jones CM. Vital Signs: Risk for Overdose from Methadone Used for Pain Relief — United States, 1999–2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2012; 61(26): 493-497.
Paulozzi LJ, Baldwin G, et al. CDC Grand Rounds: Prescription Drug Overdoses — a U.S. Epidemic. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2012; 61(01):10-13.
Paulozzi LJ, Jones CM, Mack KA, Rudd RA. Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers—United States, 1999—2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2011; 60(43):1487-1492.
Goldberger B, Thogmartin J, Johnson H, Paulozzi LJ, Rudd RA, Ibrahimova, A. Drug Overdose Deaths — Florida, 2003–2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011; 60(26);869-872.
Paulozzi LJ. Drug-induced deaths—United States 2003–2007. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2011; 60(supp):60-61.
Cai R, Crane E, Poneleit K, Paulozzi LJ. Emergency department visits involving nonmedical use of selected prescription drugs – United States, 2004–2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2010; 59:705-709.
Mascola L, Dassey D, Fogleman S, Paulozzi LJ, Reed CG. Ecstasy overdoses as a New Year’s Eve rave—Los Angeles, California, 2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2010; 59:671-681.
Coolen P, Best S, Lima A, Sabel J, Paulozzi LJ. Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids among Medicaid enrollees—Washington, 2004-2007. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2009; 58:1171-1175.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. QuickStats: Percentage change in death rates for the leading causes of unintentional injury, by mechanism of injury — United States, 1999—2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2008; 57:701.
Paulozzi L, Annest J. Unintentional poisoning deaths—United States, 1999-2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2007; 56:93-96.
Burt A, Annest JL, Ballesteros MF, Budnitz DS. Nonfatal, unintentional medication exposures among young children—United States, 2001-2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep,2006; 55:1-5.
Singleton M, Qin H, et al. Unintentional and undetermined poisoning deaths—11 states, 1990-2001. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2004; 53:233-8.