Washington Priority Topic Investments
Click on any of the tabs below to learn more about each topic.
Washington 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 Washington.
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 Washington there were:
2,264
overdose deaths
28.1
overdose deaths per 100,000 people (age-adjusted)
Source: NVSS – Drug Overdose Deaths
|
Overdose Data to Action (OD2A)
Public Health and Public Safety
Research
*average award amount |
Examples of How Washington Is Working to Prevent Overdose
 |
Local care coordinators
Mason County implemented community-focused strategies to overcome linkage-to-care barriers in its rural community by partnering with the local jail and recovery centers to provide immediate care upon release. Case coordinators are available at community centers weekly to provide referrals to recovery services, provide direct access to local resources, and engage with the public. |
 |
Comprehensive toxicology data
Washington performed toxicology screenings for all overdoses and makes comprehensive toxicology data available to medical examiners and coroners for death certificates to reduce turnaround time for completing opioid-related death investigation cases. |
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