New DOH dashboard on unintentional drug overdose death data

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September 28, 2023

Drug overdose and opioid misuse are serious public health crises impacting communities nationwide. DOH’s new Unintentional Drug Overdose Data dashboard provides valuable insights for addressing substance use disorders in the state. Data is used to better understand characteristics and circumstances surrounding each overdose death, including the type of drugs involved and whether they were illicitly manufactured or prescribed.  

Relevant drug overdose death data are collected through the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). SUDORS links information from coroner and medical examiner reports, toxicology, autopsy, and, when possible, prescription drug monitoring program data. Data on the dashboard are refreshed twice a year in the spring and fall.  

Thirteen Washington counties currently participate in the program, representing about 88% of statewide overdose deaths. Plans are underway to add more counties, with the goal of including the entire state. See the DOH news release for additional information and links to other resources.

Questions about the dashboard? Email doh-pio@doh.wa.gov.