PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota is seeing a dramatic uptick in overdose deaths. Both the state’s Department of Health and Department of Social Services report that overdose deaths jumped by 27-percent in 2021. That’s much higher than the four-percent increase in overdose deaths nationwide. Officials said 104 died as a result of overdose in South Dakota, and 41-percent of those were opioid-related.
According to health officials, the stimulants seen in overdoses often include those laced with fentanyl.
Drug overdose deaths have reached another record high in the United States, as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids flood the drug supply. However, overdose deaths from methamphetamine and other psychostimulants are up by 40 percent over the previous year.
In 2020, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths increased 31% compared to 2019. Adults aged 35-44 experienced the highest rates of drug overdose deaths while young people aged 15-24 experienced the greatest percentage increase in deaths.
