New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 2024 saw the largest one-year decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths ever recorded. The CDC’s provisional data, released on Wednesday, May 14, showed there were approximately 30,000 fewer fatalities than in 2023.
CDC provisional data
The agency found 80,391 people died from drug overdoses in 2024. That’s a drop of 27% from the 110,037 people who died from overdoses in 2023.
The CDC has gathered information on overdose deaths for 45 years. Before the release of this latest data, the agency’s National Center for Health Statistics reported that the largest previous decline in overdose deaths over one year was 4%, recorded in 2018.
The CDC’s preliminary data also showed that all but two states saw drops in overdose deaths in 2024. Some of the largest drops in drug-related overdose deaths were in Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. These states, as well as the District of Columbia, saw declines of 35% or more. Those particularly hard-hit by the overdose crisis experienced some of the largest declines in overdose deaths.
Two states saw increases. Why?
Two states, however, saw a slight rise in overdose deaths in 2024: South Dakota and Nevada.
Medical professionals reported that Nevada has seen an increase in overdose deaths due to a surge in fentanyl and a lack of sufficient addiction treatment services, according to Newsweek. South Dakota reportedly faces a shortage of treatment services for drug addiction and insufficient funding for these programs, particularly in rural areas.
A decrease in deaths from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl has contributed to the overall reduction in mortality rates. According to the CDC, these fatalities fell from 76,282 in 2023 to 48,422 deaths in 2024.
Overdose deaths involving other drugs also saw drops. Deaths from methamphetamine fell from 37,096 in 2023 to 29,456 in 2024. Cocaine deaths fell from 30,833 to 22,174, and natural opioid deaths fell from 10,511 to 8,006 people.
Unknown data
However, medical professionals said overdoses often involve more than one drug, and in some cases, drugs remain unknown to the CDC.
The agency noted that the preliminary numbers may change as more data becomes available. The information released on Wednesday included confirmed and forecasted overdose deaths based on trends in data.
The CDC’s provisional data release coincides with a national surge in illegal fentanyl use, a pressing issue that has become a focal point for lawmakers, particularly as overdose deaths rose during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tens of thousands of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. stem from fentanyl use, the CDC reported. Data shows that while drug overdose deaths decreased in connection with synthetic opioids, the numbers remained above prepandemic levels. The CDC also said overdoses remain the leading cause of death for people aged 18-44, which underscores “the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress.”
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In 2024, the CDC reported 80,391 drug overdose deaths, a 27% decrease from 110,037 in 2023.
What’s driving the drop in overdose deaths?
Dr. Scott E. Hadland, a Harvard Medical School professor, told Newsweek that he believes the major factors in drug overdose deaths are falling from 2023 to 2024.
“The decline likely reflects the impact of a few public health interventions: broad distribution of naloxone, increased access to addiction treatment, including through telemedicine, which is a new approach and expanding, and potentially also the use of fentanyl test strips,” Hadland said. “Funds from opioid lawsuit settlements have also been directed toward prevention and recovery programs, which is likely contributing. The other explanation, though, is that some of this might reflect a reversion to trends we started to see just prior to COVID, when there was a leveling-off of overdose deaths due to the above interventions.”
Reasons for increased action
Hadland warned against taking the proverbial foot off the gas pedal and said this is a call for more action, not less. He also cautioned against proposed cuts to naloxone distribution and Medicaid by the Trump administration. Hadland explained that cuts could jeopardize addiction treatment services, particularly because “Medicaid is a major insurer” of these programs. He said federal funding cuts may stymie the progress made on reducing overdose deaths.
Additionally, Hadland noted that there is potential for other, more potent drugs to replace fentanyl in the future, which could drive another overdose crisis.
The Trump administration’s approach to fentanyl
The Trump administration concentrated significantly on the illicit smuggling of fentanyl into the U.S. from Mexico and Canada. This includes the role of Chinese companies that produce and export chemicals necessary for fentanyl manufacturing, which are frequently trafficked into the U.S. by Mexican drug cartels.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly addressed fentanyl smuggling, prompting trade disputes with China, Canada and Mexico. He has urged these countries to tackle the problem of illegal fentanyl entering the U.S.
Some health professionals warned against the Trump administration’s approach, as they said it takes the focus off the true crux of the issue: access to substance abuse treatment and prevention. They argued that the real solution lies in enhancing access to treatment and preventing substance abuse from the outset, while also destigmatizing addiction and stopping the criminalization of drug dependence.
