Deaths from Suicide, Alcohol, and Drugs at Highest Level in the U.S. Since Record-keeping Began in 1999 Published on March 6, 2019 / WHR Posted in National Continue reading The number of deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicide in 2017 hit the highest level since federal data collection started in 1999, according to an analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data by two public health nonprofits.