Tennessee ranks 2nd in overdose death rate in US, latest CDC data says

More than 3,800 people died from overdoses in Tennessee in 2021.
Opioid generic(USAF / Abbey Rieves)
Published: Jan. 31, 2024 at 2:52 PM CST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show Tennessee ranks No. 2 overall for overdose death rate in the country.

The latest annual overdose report from the CDC says there were about 57 overdose-related deaths per 100,000 people in Tennessee in 2021. This ranks second-most in the country, following only West Virginia, which had about 91 deaths per 1,000 people.

More than 3,800 people died from overdoses in Tennessee in 2021. The fight against the opioid crisis continues in the state.

It’s unclear when new data will be released by the CDC or if this rate has improved in Tennessee.