The U.S. opioid crisis has been linked to approximately 900,000 deaths in the United States from 1999 through 2025, including deaths involving heroin and illicit fentanyl.
November 14, 2025
high
temporal
Aggregate mortality count attributed to the U.S. opioid crisis over the period beginning in 1999 and reported through 2025.
Approximately 900,000 deaths in the United States have been connected to the opioid crisis since 1999, including deaths from heroin and illicit fentanyl.
November 14, 2025
high
statistical
Cumulative mortality estimate attributable to the broader opioid epidemic over a multi-decade period.
Public-health reporting attributes approximately 900,000 deaths in the United States to the opioid crisis (including deaths from heroin and illicit fentanyl) for the period since 1999.
November 14, 2025
high
temporal
Aggregate mortality estimate for the U.S. opioid crisis covering 1999 through the reporting date.
United States federal law classifies marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance alongside heroin and LSD, indicating it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical benefit.
November 14, 2025
high
legal
Federal controlled-substances classification under U.S. law.
Open-air urban drug markets can involve the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine and may be maintained through violence and intimidation.
October 24, 2025
high
descriptive
Urban open-air markets are characterized by visible drug sales of multiple controlled substances and associated violent enforcement of territory.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and is generally easier and cheaper to produce than many traditional opioids.
October 22, 2025
high
general
Basic pharmacological characteristics of fentanyl relevant to overdose risk and manufacturing.
Fentanyl has largely replaced heroin and prescription opioids such as oxycodone as a leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States.
October 22, 2025
high
general
Observed epidemiological trend in substances driving overdose fatalities in the United States.
Since 1999, approximately 900,000 deaths in the United States have been linked to opioids, including deaths involving heroin and illicit fentanyl.
January 01, 1999
high
temporal
Cumulative mortality estimate associated with the U.S. opioid epidemic starting in 1999.
Street-level illicit drug markets commonly involve the sale of substances such as cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin.
medium
substance
Examples of substances frequently encountered in urban street drug markets.