Arkansas Priority Topic Investments
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Arkansas Overdose Investment Snapshot
Combatting the current overdose crisis is a priority for the agency. This page provides an overview of the FY22 CDC Injury Center (NCIPC) overdose investments for the state of Arkansas.
There were 106,699 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2021 (32.4 deaths per 100,000 standard population), a 16% increase from 2020. Approximately 75% of drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved at least one opioid; 66% of deaths involved synthetic opioids (e.g., illicitly manufactured fentanyls). Drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids increased 25%, deaths involving psychostimulants (e.g., methamphetamine) increased 37%, and deaths involving cocaine increased 26% from 2020 to 2021. Although deaths increased overall and in all drug categories except heroin, the increases from 2020 to 2021 were generally lower than those from 2019 to 2020, suggesting a slowing of the increase in overdose deaths.
In 2021 in Arkansas there were:
637
overdose deaths
22.3
overdose deaths per 100,000 people (age-adjusted)
Source: NVSS – Drug Overdose Deaths
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Overdose Data to Action
Public Health and Public Safety
*average award amount |
Examples of How Arkansas Is Working to Prevent Overdose
Employer toolkits
Arkansas worked with employers to develop a toolkit with information on recommended policies, practices, and treatment for employees with a substance use disorder. The toolkits were distributed in five counties disproportionately affected by overdose and are available statewide. |
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Peer recovery support
Arkansas connects people with opioid use disorder in high-need settings to recovery specialists with personal experience overcoming addiction. |
CDC Overdose Prevention Strategies
CDC’s Injury Center plays a critical role in addressing the drug overdose epidemic by driving progress in the five strategic priorities that guide CDC’s response framework for preventing overdoses.
- Strategic Priorities Overview
- Monitor, Analyze, and Communicate Trends
- Build State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Capacity
- Support Providers, Health Systems, Payors, and Employers
- Partner with Public Safety and Community Organizations
- Raise Public Awareness and Reduce Stigma
Additional Resources
1 Spencer MR, Miniño AM, Warner M. Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 2001–2021. NCHS Data Brief, no 457. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi. org/10.15620/cdc:122556