Prescription painkiller overdose deaths are a growing problem among women.

Drug overdose deaths among women, by select drug class, United States, 2004-2010. Data from National Vital Statistics System.

opioids benzodiazepines antidepressants heroin cocaine
Year
1999 1287 420 926 306 850
2000 1534 480 984 279 843
2001 1969 614 1009 313 957
2002 2761 763 1318 359 1143
2003 3173 885 1384 358 1322
2004 3758 1079 1549 341 1405
2005 4188 1209 1575 389 1620
2006 5058 1472 1819 344 1860
2007 5630 1894 1958 399 1665
2008 5733 2046 2047 551 1322
2009 6213 2281 2133 577 1141
2010 6631 2579 2204 584 1132

SOURCE: National Vital Statistics System, 1999-2010 (deaths include suicides)