District of Columbia Priority Topic Investments
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District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia.
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 the District of Columbia there were:
450
overdose deaths
63.6
overdose deaths per 100,000 people (age-adjusted)
Source: NVSS – Drug Overdose Deaths
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Overdose Data to Action (OD2A)
Public Health and Public Safety
*average award amount |
Examples of How the District of Columbia Is Working to Prevent Overdose
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Overdose data dissemination and linkage
Washington, DC, uses syndromic surveillance data from its seven emergency departments to track the drug overdose epidemic, publicly reporting monthly data to the DC opioid work group, the hospital association, and the community. DC also links emergency medical services and hospital data to health care billing and consumption, corrections, and city services data to better identify opioid overdose risk factors and new points of intervention. |
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Awareness campaign for residents
Washington, DC, developed an awareness campaign for individuals looking for recovery services for themselves and/or loved ones. Campaign materials featuring the DC Department of Health’s website were placed on city buses and trains. DC residents can learn the stories of individuals who have used recovery services, find a peer recovery specialist, or train to be a peer navigator in the community. |
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