National Drug Intelligence Center
Methadone Diversion, Abuse, and Misuse: Deaths Increasing at Alarming Rate
November 2006

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Figure 1. Methadone and other opioid deaths, 1999-2004.

Graph showing number of deaths from methadone and other opioids from 1999-2004.

In 1999, there were 786 methadone-related deaths and 2,757 deaths from other opioids.

In 2000, there were 988 methadone-related deaths and 2,932 deaths from other opioids.

In 2001, there were 1,456 methadone-related deaths and 3,484 deaths from other opioids.

In 2002, there were 2,360 methadone-related deaths and 4,431 deaths from other opioids.

In 2003, there were 2,974 methadone-related deaths and 4,877 deaths from other opioids.

In 2004, there were 3,849 methadone-related deaths and 5,242 deaths from other opioids.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Figure 2. National and regional estimates for methadone submissions to state and local forensic laboratories, 2001-2006.

Graph showing number of methadone submissions to state and local forensic laboratories for the years 2001-2006, broken down by region.

In 2001, there were 145 submissions from the West region, 477 submissions from the Midwest region, 1,377 submissions from the Northeast region, and 866 submissions from the South region.

In 2002, there were 400 submissions from the West region, 679 submissions from the Midwest region, 1,259 submissions from the Northeast region, and 1,530 submissions from the South region.

In 2003, there were 546 submissions from the West region, 859 submissions from the Midwest region, 1,526 submissions from the Northeast region, and 2,036 submissions from the South region.

In 2004, there were 802 submissions from the West region, 1,038 submissions from the Midwest region, 1,988 submissions from the Northeast region, and 2,569 submissions from the South region.

In 2005, there were 1,074 submissions from the West region, 1,037 submissions from the Midwest region, 1,847 submissions from the Northeast region, and 3,345 submissions from the South region.

In 2005, there were 1,280 submissions from the West region, 1,624 submissions from the Midwest region, 2,488 submissions from the Northeast region, and 4,431 submissions from the South region.

Source: National Forensic Laboratory Information System.

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Figure 3. Increases in legitimate distribution of methadone to hospitals, pharmacies, and practitioners, 2001-2006.

Chart showing the increases in legitimate distribution of methadone in grams to hospitals, pharmacies, and practitioners for the years 2001-2006, broken down by year.

In 2001, 1,894,061 grams of methadone were legitimately distributed to hospitals, pharmacies, and practitioners.

In 2002, 2,650,697 grams of methadone were legitimately distributed to hospitals, pharmacies, and practitioners.

In 2003, 4,544,758 grams of methadone were legitimately distributed to hospitals, pharmacies, and practitioners.

In 2004, 4,732,158 grams of methadone were legitimately distributed to hospitals, pharmacies, and practitioners.

In 2005, 5,364,809 grams of methadone were legitimately distributed to hospitals, pharmacies, and practitioners.

In 2006, 6,621,678 grams of methadone were legitimately distributed to hospitals, pharmacies, and practitioners.

Source: Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Figure 4. Methadone calls to poison control centers and calls resulting in medical treatment, 2002-2005.

Graph showing number of methadone-related calls to poison control centers and number of methadone-related calls resulting in medical treatment for the years 2002-2005, broken down by year.

In 2002, there were 2,747 reported methadone-related calls to poison control centers, 1,956 of which resulted in medical treatment.

In 2003, there were 3,175 reported methadone-related calls to poison control centers, 2,257 of which resulted in medical treatment.

In 2004, there were 3,965 reported methadone-related calls to poison control centers, 2,817 of which resulted in medical treatment.

In 2005, there were 4,311 reported methadone-related calls to poison control centers, 3,388 of which resulted in medical treatment.

Source: American Association of Poison Control Centers.

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Figure 5. Unintentional methadone poisoning deaths, 2002.

U.S. map showing the number of unintentional methadone poisoning deaths in 2002, broken down by state.

Of the states with 49 or fewer methadone poisoning deaths in 2002, South Dakota was the only state with no methadone poisoning deaths. Maryland, North Dakota, and Rhode Island each had one methadone poisoning death. Alaska, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Wyoming each had two methadone poisoning deaths. Washington D.C. had three methadone poisoning deaths. Massachusetts, Montana, and Vermont each had four methadone poisoning deaths. Idaho had five methadone poisoning deaths. Delaware and Iowa each had seven methadone poisoning deaths. South Carolina had nine methadone poisoning deaths. Arkansas and Indiana each had 11 methadone poisoning deaths. Hawaii and Minnesota each had 12 methadone poisoning deaths. Utah had 17 methadone poisoning deaths. Kansas had 18 methadone poisoning deaths. Colorado had 20 methadone poisoning deaths. Missouri had 22 methadone poisoning deaths. Connecticut had 23 methadone poisoning deaths. New Hampshire had 26 methadone poisoning deaths. New Mexico had 28 methadone poisoning deaths. Alabama had 30 methadone poisoning deaths. Louisiana and Wisconsin each had 34 methadone poisoning deaths. Pennsylvania had 36 methadone poisoning deaths. Tennessee had 37 methadone poisoning deaths. Michigan, Nevada, and Oklahoma each had 38 methadone poisoning deaths. Maine had 42 methadone poisoning deaths. New Jersey had 43 methadone poisoning deaths. Georgia had 47 methadone poisoning deaths, and Ohio had 48 methadone poisoning deaths.

Of the states with 50-99 methadone poisoning deaths in 2002, Arizona had 50 methadone poisoning death. West Virginia had 52 methadone poisoning deaths. Illinois had 59 methadone poisoning deaths. Oregon had 60 methadone poisoning deaths. Kentucky had 72 methadone poisoning deaths, Virginia had 76 methadone poisoning deaths, and California had 98 methadone poisoning deaths.

Of the states with 100-149 methadone poisoning deaths in 2002, Texas had 113 methadone poisoning deaths, Washington had 120 methadone poisoning deaths, and New York had 122 methadone poisoning deaths.

Of the states with 150-199 methadone poisoning deaths in 2002, North Carolina had 175 methadone poisoning deaths and Florida had 195 methadone poisoning deaths.

No states had 200 or more methadone poisoning deaths in 2002.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics.

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Figure 6. Unintentional methadone poisoning deaths, 2003.

U.S. map showing the number of unintentional methadone poisoning deaths in 2003, broken down by state.

Of the states with 49 or fewer methadone poisoning deaths in 2003, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota had no methadone poisoning deaths. Rhode Island and Wyoming each had one methadone poisoning death. Alaska had two methadone poisoning deaths. Maryland had three methadone poisoning deaths. Massachusetts and Utah each had five methadone poisoning deaths. Arkansas, Hawaii, and Iowa each had six methadone poisoning deaths. Vermont and Washington D.C. each had 10 methadone poisoning deaths. Mississippi had 11 methadone poisoning deaths. Delaware had 12 methadone poisoning deaths. Montana had 14 methadone poisoning deaths. Idaho and Kansas each had 16 methadone poisoning deaths. Connecticut had 18 methadone poisoning deaths. South Carolina had 19 methadone poisoning deaths. Alabama and Minnesota each had 23 methadone poisoning deaths. Colorado had 24 methadone poisoning deaths. New Mexico had 30 methadone poisoning deaths. New Hampshire had 32 methadone poisoning deaths. Maine and Wisconsin each had 35 methadone poisoning deaths. Indiana and Michigan each had 36 methadone poisoning deaths. Nevada had 44 methadone poisoning deaths, Louisiana had 47 methadone poisoning deaths, and New Jersey had 48 methadone poisoning deaths.

Of the states with 50-99 methadone poisoning deaths in 2003, Missouri had 56 methadone poisoning deaths. Tennessee had 58 methadone poisoning deaths. Illinois had 60 methadone poisoning deaths. Ohio had 62 methadone poisoning deaths. Arizona had 63 methadone poisoning deaths. Georgia had 64 methadone poisoning deaths. Oregon had 66 methadone poisoning deaths. Pennsylvania and West Virginia each had 67 methadone poisoning deaths, and Oklahoma had 81 methadone poisoning deaths.

Of the states with 100-149 methadone poisoning deaths in 2003, Virginia had 100 methadone poisoning deaths. Kentucky had 122 methadone poisoning deaths. California had 123 methadone poisoning deaths. Texas had 125 methadone poisoning deaths. New York had 136 methadone poisoning deaths and Washington had 143 methadone poisoning deaths.

No states had 150-199 methadone poisoning deaths in 2003.

Of the states with 200 or more methadone poisoning deaths in 2003, North Carolina had 230 methadone poisoning deaths and Florida had 255 methadone poisoning deaths.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics.

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Figure 7. Unintentional methadone poisoning deaths, 2004.

U.S. map showing the number of unintentional methadone poisoning deaths in 2004, broken down by state.

Of the states with 49 or fewer methadone poisoning deaths in 2004,  Rhode Island had one methadone poisoning death, Alaska, Maryland, Nebraska, and Wyoming each had two methadone poisoning deaths, North Dakota had three methadone poisoning deaths, South Dakota and Washington D.C. each had four methadone poisoning deaths, Mississippi and Vermont each had five methadone poisoning deaths, Delaware had six methadone poisoning deaths, and Massachusetts had 10 methadone poisoning deaths. Iowa had 11 methadone poisoning deaths, Montana had 13 methadone poisoning deaths, Hawaii had 14 methadone poisoning deaths, Utah had 18 methadone poisoning deaths, and Idaho had 19 methadone poisoning deaths. Arkansas had 23 methadone poisoning deaths, Indiana had 24 methadone poisoning deaths, Kansas had 25 methadone poisoning deaths, Colorado had 27 methadone poisoning deaths, and New Hampshire had 29 methadone poisoning deaths. Minnesota had 31 methadone poisoning deaths, Missouri had 36 methadone poisoning deaths, South Carolina had 37 methadone poisoning deaths, and Connecticut had 39 methadone poisoning deaths. New Mexico had 42 methadone poisoning deaths, Alabama had 44 methadone poisoning deaths, and New Jersey had 47 methadone poisoning deaths. 

Of the states with 50-99 methadone poisoning deaths in 2004, Maine had 52 methadone poisoning deaths, and Arizona had 56 methadone poisoning deaths. Illinois and Wisconsin each had 63 methadone poisoning deaths, Louisiana had 64 methadone poisoning deaths, and Oregon had 68 methadone poisoning deaths. Michigan had 74 methadone poisoning deaths, and Nevada had 76 methadone poisoning deaths. Pennsylvania had 88 methadone poisoning deaths, Georgia had 90 methadone poisoning deaths, and Tennessee and West Virginia each had 99 methadone poisoning deaths.

Of the states with 100-149 methadone poisoning deaths in 2004, Virginia had 104 methadone poisoning deaths, Oklahoma had 120 methadone poisoning deaths, Kentucky had 121 methadone poisoning deaths, Ohio had 122 methadone poisoning deaths, New York had 129 methadone poisoning deaths, and Texas had 138 methadone poisoning deaths.

 With 178 methadone poisoning deaths, California was the only state in the 150-199 methadone poisoning deaths range in 2004.

Of the states with 200 or more methadone poisoning deaths in 2004, Washington had 228 methadone poisoning deaths, North Carolina had 245 methadone poisoning deaths., and Florida had 400 methadone poisoning deaths.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics.

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