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For more data and information on how opioids have been affecting Illinois, please visit our interactive

IDPH Opioid Data Dashboard

Opioids: Illinois’ Other Epidemic

2,944
Opioid Overdose Deaths in 2020
A 33% increase from 2019

Drug Overdose Deaths 2020

 

Since 2013, Synthetic Opioid Overdose Deaths Increased by
2,736%

 

Since 2013, Heroin Overdose Deaths Increased by
80%

 

2.3x
more opioid deaths than car crash deaths in 2020

2.2x
more opioid deaths than homicides in 2020

19,451
EMS responses to opioid overdoses in 2020

Opioid overdoses in Illinois increased 33% from 2019 to 2020. In 2020, there were 2,944 opioid overdose fatalities – more than twice the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents and more than twice the number of homicides. The increase in the number of fatalities is attributed to the rise of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Since 2013, synthetic opioid deaths in Illinois have increased 2,736%.

In 2019, the overall age-adjusted drug overdose mortality rate in Illinois was 21.9 per 100,000 population. Illinois ranked 24th in the country for overall drug overdose fatality rate in 2019.

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