About AHRQ's Work on Opioids and Substance Use Disorders

Deaths from drug overdoses have risen steadily over the past two decades and have become a leading cause of injury death in the United States. The rise in drug overdose deaths was initially driven by misuse of prescription opioids but is now also fueled by rising use of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, stimulants, and polydrug use. Meanwhile, alcohol and tobacco continue to claim lives and undermine population health .

For more information on AHRQ's work on opioids and other substance use disorders, contact Elisabeth Kato, MD, MRP.