Trends in Nonfatal and Fatal Overdoses Involving Benzodiazepines—38 States and the District of Columbia, 2019–2020

This article describes the significant increase in benzodiazepine-involved overdose deaths between 2019 and 2020, with a particularly notable increase (of over 500%) in deaths related to illicit benzodiazepines (e.g., etizolam, flualprazolam, and flubromazolam). The vast majority of benzodiazepine-involved overdose deaths also involved opioids, particularly illicitly manufactured fentanyls. This increase in benzodiazepine-involved overdose deaths has likely contributed to the deceased donor pool.