5 US States Highly Affected by the Fentanyl Epidemic

April 3, 2023

Fentanyl is responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths, and its presence in the illicit drug supply has become a major public health concern. In this article, we will take a closer look at the US states with the most positive tests for fentanyl.

1. Ohio
Ohio has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, with the state experiencing some of the highest rates of overdose deaths in the country. According to the Ohio Department of Health, fentanyl was involved in 73% of all overdose deaths in the state in 2019. Fentanyl seizures in Ohio have also been on the rise, with the Ohio State Highway Patrol reporting a 1000% increase in fentanyl seizures between 2014 and 2018.

2. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has also seen a significant increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, fentanyl was involved in 78% of all drug overdose deaths in the state in 2019. The state has implemented a number of harm reduction strategies to combat the opioid epidemic, including the distribution of naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

3. Florida
Florida has seen a dramatic increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths in recent years. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, there were 3,245 fentanyl-related deaths in the state in 2020, a 59% increase from the previous year. The state has implemented a number of initiatives to address the opioid epidemic, including increasing access to naloxone and implementing prescription drug monitoring programs.

4. Illinois
Illinois has also seen a rise in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, fentanyl was involved in 57% of all opioid overdose deaths in the state in 2018. The state has implemented a number of harm reduction strategies, including the distribution of naloxone and the expansion of medication-assisted treatment programs.

5. Maryland
Maryland has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, with the state experiencing some of the highest rates of overdose deaths in the country. According to the Maryland Department of Health, fentanyl was involved in 90% of all opioid overdose deaths in the state in 2020. The state has implemented a number of initiatives to address the opioid epidemic, including increasing access to naloxone and expanding treatment programs.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that has become a major public health concern in the United States. The drug has contributed to a significant number of overdose deaths, and its presence in the illicit drug supply has made it difficult to control. The states with the most positive tests for fentanyl, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Illinois, and Maryland, have implemented a range of harm reduction strategies to address the opioid epidemic, including increasing access to naloxone and expanding treatment programs. While there is still much work to be done, these initiatives offer hope for those affected by the opioid epidemic and demonstrate the importance of addressing the issue at the state level.