This investigation was inspired by the pre-print posted by Buchanich et al. In the following set of plots, we show trends in mortality from drug poisoning (overdoses) between 1979 and 2015. Figure 1 and 2 depict the mortality rate for drug overdoses from 1979 to 2015, for men and women. I am plotting the crude rates with no smoothing. Data that was suppressed by CDC wonder is shown by the gaps in the trend lines.

Figure 1: Crude state-level trends in the mortality rate from drug poisoning in men, 1979-2015

Figure 2: Crude state-level trends in the mortality rate from drug poisoning in women, 1979-2015

Figures 3 and 4 provides a more direct comparison of states within the same census division. You can interact with the plot by hovering over the trend lines for more information and turning the trend lines on and off by clicking on the names in the legend.

Figure 3: Crude state-level trends in the number of deaths from drug poisoning in men by census division, 1979-2015

Figure 4: Crude state-level trends in the number of deaths from drug poisoning in women by census division, 1979-2015