Fatal Overdoses — Substance Use Philly

Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths by Drug Group and Year, 2010-2021

Key Findings: From 2013 to 2017, the total number of unintentional drug overdose deaths increased each year. In 2018, Philadelphia saw its first decrease in the total number of yearly unintentional drug overdose deaths, however, in 2020, unintentional overdose deaths deaths increased by 9% and 6% from 2018 and 2019, respectively. Philadelphia saw this trend continue in 2021, with the number of unintentional overdose deaths increasing by 5% since 2020. In 2021, 31% of unintentional overdose deaths involved an opioid only, such as heroin, oxycodone, or fentanyl, and 15% of unintentional overdose deaths involved a stimulant only, such as cocaine or methamphetamine. Notably, in 2021, 52% of unintentional overdose deaths involved both an opioid and a stimulant.

Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths by Specific Drugs Involved, 2010-2021

Key Findings: Beginning in 2017, fentanyl and its analogs surpassed all other drugs as the most commonly detected drug among unintentional overdose decedents. This trend has continued through 2021. In 2021, Cocaine remained the second most commonly found drug among unintentional overdose decedents. Since 2017, the number of unintentional overdose deaths involving heroin has continually declined. 2021 saw an increase in the number of unintentional overdose decedents with Xylazine and Methamphetamine detected in their toxicology, and a decrease in the number of unintentional overdose decedents with Benzodiazepines detected in their toxicology at their time of death.

Percentage of All Unintentional Overdose Deaths with Fentanyl or a Fentanyl Analog Present, 2010-2021

Key Findings: The number of all unintentional overdose deaths involving fentanyl remained under 10% through 2013. In 2014, the number of unintentional overdose deaths involving fentanyl began to increase and continued to increase through 2020. In 2021, 77% of all unintentional overdose deaths had positive detections for fentanyl or a fentanyl analog, a decrease from the percentage of all unintentional overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2020.

Percentage of Unintentional Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths with Fentanyl or a Fentanyl Analog Present, 2010-2021

Key Findings: The number of unintentional opioid-involved drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl remained under 12% through 2013. In 2014, the number of unintentional opioid-involved overdose deaths involving fentanyl began to increase and has continued to increase through 2021. In 2021, 94% of unintentional opioid-involved overdose deaths had positive detections for fentanyl or a fentanyl analog.

Unintentional Overdose Deaths by Age Group, 2018 - 2021

Key Findings: Unintentional overdose deaths are high among those between the ages of 25-64 years old. In 2021, the highest number of unintentional overdose deaths occurred among individuals aged 35-44 (316), followed by individuals aged 45-54 (312). Age groups less than 25 are not displayed due to low counts.

Unintentional Overdose Deaths by Sex at Birth, 2018 - 2021

Key Findings: Males consistently represent the largest group of those dying from unintentional overdose deaths. In 2021, 72% of all unintentional overdose deaths were among males.

Unintentional Overdose Deaths by Race/Ethnicity, 2018 - 2021

Key Findings: Prior to 2020, unintentional overdose deaths were highest among non-Hispanic white Individuals. However, in 2020, the number of unintentional overdose deaths among non-Hispanic Black individuals increased by 29%, while the number of unintentional overdose deaths among non-Hispanic white individuals decreased by 10%. This shift first occured in the second quarter of 2020. In 2021, the number of unintentional overdose deaths among non-Hispanic Black individuals surpassed the number of unintentional overdose deaths among non-Hispanic white individuals, with 42% of unintentional overdose deaths occurring among non-Hispanic Black individuals (a 9% increase from 2020), and 41% of unintentional overdose deaths occurring among non-Hispanic white individuals (a 3% increase from 2020). Race and Ethnicity groups defined as "non-Hispanic, Other Race" are not included due to low counts.

Unintentional Overdose Deaths by Incident Location, 2016-2021

Key Findings: Unintentional overdose deaths consistently occur most frequently in a residence. In 2021, 69% of all unintentional overdose deaths occurred in a residence.

Incidence of Unintentional Overdose Deaths by Zip Code, 2021

Key Findings: In 2021, the highest number of unintentional overdose deaths occurred in Zip Code 19134 (169). There were high numbers of unintentional overdose deaths occurring in Zip Codes 19140 (84), 19124 (80), 19133 (56), and 19132 (52) as well.