Widespread rise in drug overdose deaths during pandemic

OVERDOSE DEATHS-STATES — Map. For the first time in U.S. history, more than 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in a single year. Experts blame the increase on the growing prevalence of deadly fentanyl and also point to the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many drug users socially isolated and unable to get treatment or support. The following digital embed of a map shows the change in overdose deaths by state from April 2020 through April 2021. This map is current as of Nov. 17, 2021 and will not update. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.