Health

Which drugs are involved in US overdose deaths?

In the 12 months ending April 2026, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were involved in 34,523 US overdose deaths, more than any other drug, followed by methamphetamine and other stimulants (24,153) and cocaine (18,965). Many deaths involve more than one drug and count once for each, so the bars add up to more than the 65,726 total. The counts are provisional, and the latest months are slightly undercounted while investigations finish.

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Source and date

Data as of
Published

The data

Drug involved Overdose deaths involving the drug in 12 months
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids 34,523
Methamphetamine and other stimulants 24,153
Cocaine 18,965
Prescription opioids such as oxycodone 6,758
Methadone 3,322
Heroin 1,738