U.S. surpassed a record 100,000 drug overdoses in 2021

There were more than 100,000 drug overdoses in the U.S. 2021, following a disturbing trend of increased overdose deaths year over year.

Between over a 12-month period, more than 103,000 overdose deaths were recorded in the U.S., according to the National Center for Health Statistics, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is consistent with preliminary reports released last fall. 

However, the number of predicted overdose deaths in 2021 now exceeds 107,000, according to the NCHS data. That's about a 15% increase from 2020.