Fatal overdoses are skyrocketing, and rates of substance use remain high, demonstrating the need to expand substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. In 2020, fatal overdoses in the Central East increased 25% (from 9,909 to 12,377), with overdose rates above the national average in every state except Virginia. Rates of substance use and SUD are persistently elevated. Funding additional treatment services and expanding access to existing treatment can help address the problem.
This factsheet provides statistics and justifications for increasing SUD treatment.