Hope M. Tiesman, PhD, is a research epidemiologist in the NIOSH Division of Safety Research and member of the NIOSH Opioids Data Framework Working Group.
The drug overdose epidemic continues to afflict our country. Nationally, there were more than 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017 i involving opioids (such as fentanyl, heroin and hydrocodone), stimulants (such as cocaine and methamphetamine), and alcohol.ii Nearly 70% of these deaths involved an opioid.ii
