According to estimates from the CDC, the number of overdose deaths declined in 48 states between 2023 and 2024, representing a 26.9% decline. This is equivalent to 81 fewer overdose deaths every day throughout the year.
The CDC estimated that there were 80,391 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 110,037 in 2023. Overdose deaths peaked in the 12-month period ending in June 2023, when 114,670 occurred.
The states that experienced the greatest declines were West Virginia (-43.5%), Virginia (-38.5%), Wisconsin (-36.3%), New Hampshire (-36.1%), and Michigan (-36.0%). Overdose deaths declined in all states except for Nevada and South Dakota, where they increased by 3.5% and 2.3%, respectively.
The decline was driven by a decrease in overdose deaths that involved synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl), which declined from 76,282 to 48,422. Psychostimulant-involved overdose deaths, primarily from methamphetamine, decreased from 37,096 to 29,456. Cocaine-involved overdose deaths decreased from 30,833 to 22,174. Many overdose deaths likely involved multiple substances, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The CDC explained that “multiple factors contribute to the drop in overdose deaths, including widespread, data-driven distribution of naloxone, which is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose; better access to evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders; shifts in the illegal drug supply; a resumption of prevention and response after pandemic-related disruptions; and continued investments in prevention and response programs like CDC's flagship Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program.”
