Overdose deaths in the U.S.

In 2016 across the U.S., there were approximately:

  • 40,000 motor vehicle-related deaths
  • 39,000 firearm-related deaths
  • 64,000 drug overdose-related deaths

Between June 2016 – June 2017, drug overdoses killed more than 66,000 people in the U.S.

In 2017, drug overdose killed 72,000 people in the U.S.

Source: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)


Overdose deaths in Ohio

More Ohioans died from opioid use disorders (OUD) than US Military in Iraqi Wars from 2003-2011 (over 5,000)

Overdose deaths in Ohio in 2017:

  • Ohio had 1,540 cocaine-related overdose deaths, 74% had traces of Fentanyl and Carfentanil
  • Ohio had 987 heroin-related overdose deaths, 73% had traces of Fentanyl and Carfentanil

In 2017, Ohio led the nation in overall drug related overdose deaths; the state is third in the nation in OUD overdose deaths.

2017 overdose deaths by Ohio county:

  • Cuyahoga (including Cleveland): 598
  • Montgomery (including Dayton): 521
  • Hamilton (including Cincinnati): 444
  • Franklin (including Columbus): 431
  • Stark/Summit (including Canton/Akron): 330
  • Butler (including Hamilton): 260
  • Lucas (including Toledo): 153

Overdose deaths in Medina County

In 2016:

  • 260 overdose cases were reported. 34 resulted in deaths.
  • Wadsworth led the county with 69 overdoses resulting in seven deaths.

In the first five months of 2017:

  • 128 drug overdoses cases were reported. 21 resulted in deaths.
  • Note: summer months are normally the highest reported moths for overdose cases; the span of these five months did not include summer.

In 2015 and 2016, emergency rooms serving Medina County residents treated an estimated 537 drug overdoses, with a rate of 1.5 overdoses per 1,000 people in the county.

  • In 2015, 31 overdose cases were heroin- or opioid-related
  • In 2016, 67 overdose cases were heroin- or opioid-related
  • This is a 116% increase over the span of one year.