According to a report released by the disease control and prevention center on December 2, 2014; the number of deaths due to drug overdoses almost doubled in 2012 (41,000 total) as compared to 1999 (17,000 total). However, the deaths due to overdose on opiates (i.e. pain relievers including Hydrocodones and Oxycodones) actually reduced by 5 percent in 2011 and 2012.https://national12stepmeetings.com