Numbers Don’t Lie-Ohio in the Top 5 for Overdose Deaths

Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths

Ohio is among the top five states with the highest rates of opioid-related overdose deaths. In 2016, there were 3,613 opioid-related overdose deaths­­­ in Ohio—a rate of 32.9 deaths per 100,000 persons and more than double the national rate of 13.3 deaths per 100,000. Since 2010, the rate has tripled from 10 deaths per 100,000. In the same period, the number of heroin-related deaths increased from 355 to 1,478 deaths, and deaths related to synthetic opioids rose from 175 to 2,296 deaths.

This graph shows the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths in Ohio compared to the United States from 1999-2016. In 2016, the opioid overdose death rate was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 persons in Ohio, versus 13.3 deaths per 100,000 persons in the United States.

Opioid Pain Reliever Prescriptions

In 2015, Ohio providers wrote 85.8 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons (9.96 million prescriptions). In the same year, the average U.S. rate was 70 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons (IMS Health, 2016).

This graph shows the number of opioid-related overdose deaths in Ohio from 1999-2016. In 2016, there were 3,613 opioid-related overdose deaths: 2,296 involved synthetic opioids, 1,478 involved heroin, and 867 involved prescription opioids. Categories are not mutually exclusive because deaths may involve more than one drug.
2022-12-13T03:08:05+00:00