Early Trends of Fentanyl Deaths by Year and Alarming Escalation
The opioid crisis in the United States has escalated dramatically over the past two decades, with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, becoming one of the deadliest contributors. In 1999, the recorded deaths due to fentanyl were relatively low, at 730 fatalities. However, these numbers have surged at an alarming rate over the years. By 2006, the death count had more than doubled to 2,707. Though there was a slight decrease in 2007, numbers rebounded and steadily climbed, reaching 2,946 in 2009.
Mid-Decade Surge and Fentanyl Deaths 2022
The real explosion in fentanyl fatalities began in the mid-2010s. By 2014, the death toll was 5,544, and by 2016 reached to 19,413. This rapid increase highlighted the growing availability and misuse of this potent drug. By 2017, the figures had skyrocketed to 28,466, and they continued to rise each year, reaching a peak of 74,225 fentanyl deaths 2022.