Content created by Digital Communications Division (DCD)
In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to opioid pain relievers and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates.
Increased prescription of opioid medications led to widespread misuse of both prescription and non-prescription opioids before it became clear that these medications could indeed be highly addictive.
In 2017 HHS declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
HHS is deeply committed to improving the physical and mental health and well-being of every American as we work to address the evolving crisis. HHS continues to support science- and community-based efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
Explore drug overdose data
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
The leading source of population-based statistical data on alcohol, tobacco, drug use, mental health, and other behavioral health information.
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
NCHS issues data briefs on drug overdose deaths in the United States during certain time periods and trends over time.
CDC Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS™)
An interactive, online database that provides fatal and nonfatal injury, violent death, and cost of injury data from a variety of data sources.
CDC Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER)
A powerful tool for retrieving and analyzing a wide array of public health data sets.
Need help?
SAMHSA National Helpline
Get treatment referral and information about mental health and drug or alcohol use disorders, prevention, and recovery.
FindTreatment.gov
Millions of Americans have mental and substance use disorders. Find a comprehensive list of certified treatment programs across the United States.