LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — While there’s a lot of concern about teens dying from a drug overdose, such as opioids, data from the Southern Nevada Health District shows an older population dying more often from drug overdoses.
According to the Southern Nevada Health District, 121 people ages 30-34 died from a drug overdose in Clark County in 2024. The next highest group includes those 40-44 years old, with 96 drug overdose deaths in 2024. Five people died from a drug overdose in the age group 15-19, with 27 deaths in the next age group, 25-29.
FOX5 also noticed several drug overdose deaths in older people in Clark County in 2024.
- Ages 55-59, 81 overdose deaths
- 60-64, 68 deaths
- 65-69, 61 deaths
- 70-74, 17 deaths
- 75-79, 5 deaths
- 80-84, 6 deaths
The Southern Nevada Health District says along with the supply of drugs, there are other social factors in deaths. The health district said there are what are called CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) factors that play a part in overdose deaths. Officials showed data about key vulnerabilities that impacted the 121 deaths in the 30–34-year-old group.
- Poverty (22.7% county-wide below 150% poverty line)
- Housing Cost Burden (33.3% county-wide spend 30%+ of income on housing)
- Lack of Health Insurance (12.0% county-wide uninsured)
SNHD also cited key vulnerabilities in the 65–69-year-old age group.
- 1. Age-Related Vulnerabilities (15.2% of county is 65+)
- 2. Disability (12.5% county-wide have disabilities)
- 3. Poverty (22.7% county-wide below 150% poverty)
“We see a multitude of factors contributing to why that specific age group is overdosing,” said Brandon Delise, Senior Epidemiologist with the Southern Nevada Health District…