Fatal work injuries from unintentional overdose increased on average 24 percent per year, 2011–18

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, a global event to raise awareness of overdose and drug-related deaths. There were 305 fatal workplace injuries in 2018 from unintentional overdose from nonmedical use of drugs or alcohol. That was an increase of 12 percent from 2017. From 2011 to 2018, the number of fatal injuries from unintentional overdose increased on average 24 percent per year.

There were 1,293 fatal work injuries from unintentional overdose from 2011 to 2018. The states with the most fatalities over this span were California (104), Massachusetts (85), New York (84), and Ohio (80).

Of the fatal unintentional overdoses from 2011 through 2018, 41 percent were from nonmedical drugs (528 fatal injuries). Thirty-two percent were from multiple drugs, alcohol, and medicines (411 fatal injuries).

These data are from the Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities program. To learn more, see “National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2018.” We also have more data on fatal work injuries from unintentional overdose.