According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), drug overdose deaths increased 14% from 2020 to 2021. They increased again in 2022, with more than 109,000 drug deaths.
A recent National Vital Statistics Report outlined one of the best predictors of overdose deaths: your job. Here are drug deaths by occupational categories, ranked from least to most dangerous.
22. Education, training, and library
Teachers and librarians have the least risk by far, with 5.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
21. Computer and mathematical
9.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
20. Business and financial operations
10.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
19. Life, physical, and social science
15.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
18. Architecture and engineering
16.8 deaths per 100,000 people.
17. Healthcare practitioners and technical
17.2 deaths per 100,000 people.
16. Management
18.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
15. Legal
19.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
14. Office and administrative
22.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
13. Community and social services
22.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
12. Protective service
27.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
11. Healthcare support
37.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
10. Sales and related
39 deaths per 100,000 people.
9. Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media
45.7 deaths per 100,000 people.
8. Farming, fishing, and forestry
51.3 deaths per 100,000 people.
7. Production
53.3 deaths per 100,000 people.
6. Installation, maintenance, and repair
69.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
5. Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance
70 deaths per 100,000 people.
4. Transportation and material moving
70.7 deaths per 100,000 people.
3. Personal care and service
74 deaths per 100,000 people.
2. Food preparation and serving
117.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
1. Construction and extraction
Construction is by far the deadliest profession for overdose deaths, with 162.6 deaths per 100,000 people. One theory is that construction workers are more likely to develop drug dependency after injuries that accompany the role.
Help is available. Call 1-800-662-4357 or text 435748 to find treatment options. Keep Narcan on hand to save lives in an emergency.
25 Countries That Decriminalized Drug Use
Recreational drug use can be a morally gray area for many. Some people say the right to bodily autonomy is absolute, even to the extent that that right leads to self-harm. Others insist on a heavy-handed reinforcement of drug laws that have shown poor outcomes at best and victimized communities at worst.
While the U.S. continues to grapple with issues like legalization of cannabis, these countries decriminalized drug use for personal possession.
➤ 25 Countries That Decriminalized Drug Use
The Most Dangerous Cities on Earth
The following most dangerous cities on Earth had the highest homicide rates in 2022, not including cities at war.
