Examining the stats of suicides and drug overdoses in Oregon
One is too many.
Death by suicide and drug overdose are both tragic events that negatively affect the victim’s families and communities for years to come. Examining the official numbers of these tragic incidents may help us gain a greater awareness of their frequency and subsequently be more proactive in helping those in our families and communities at risk.
The latest data from the CDC is from 2021, which shows that Oregon had 889 suicides and 1,171 drug overdose deaths.
From this CDC data, we learn that Oregon is ranked 17 out of 50 states with the rate of suicide deaths at 19.5 per 100,000 people. Oregon is ranked 19 out of 50 states with the total amount of suicides at 889.
As for drug overdose deaths, we learn from the CDC data in 2021 that Oregon ranks 34 out of 50 states with the rate of overdose deaths at 26.8 per 100,000 people. Oregon ranks 29 out of 50 states with the total drug overdose deaths at 1,171.
Just for some perspective, suicides have increased in Oregon since 2014 when it had a rate of 18.6 and a total of 782. Drug overdose deaths in Oregon have increased in Oregon more drastically since 2014, when Oregon had a rate of 12.8 and a total of 522. This is according to CDC data.
