Opioid Overdose Inpatient & ED Visit Rate by Type and Geography

The chart below breaks down the 2016 opioid overdose visits (ED and inpatient) by type of opioid. Note that this data may not be perfectly accurate due to challenges in identifying specific drugs and mixtures of drugs, but it is directionally reliable. The charts show that despite the rising prevalence and concerns about heroin and fentanyl, prescription opioids remain a large part of the problem. It is also notable that while most types of opioids have higher rates in the urban areas, the primary driver of the higher urban rates is heroin.