Overview
This report summarizes data on opioid misuse and overdose in Philadelphia. Opioids are substances that act on the central nervous system and that are addictive. The term opioids encompasses prescription medications marketed for pain relief (e.g. Tramadol, Oxycodone) as well as chemically-related illicit drugs such as fentanyl and heroin.
Since 2003 unintentional drug related overdoses have increased dramatically in Philadelphia, likely as a result of a rise in opioid prescribing. In 2017, there were 1,217 unintentional drug related deaths, of which 1,074 involved opioids. While the rate of unintentional opioid-related death was highest among 45-54 year old, white, non-Hispanic males, no Philadelphia subpopulation has remained untouched by the epidemic. In the past decade, increases were also seen for drug related emergency department visits and non-fatal overdoses.
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Full Report
The full report is updated quarterly. While the report is cumulative, data are only updated as the source data becomes available.
Click here to view the latest full report in a printable format (Updated:07/12/2018).
The full report can be viewed online using the buttons below. Click on a button to see the data for that section of the Opioid Surveillance Report.
Additional Opioid Links and Resources