Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. fell to their lowest level since 2019, according to newly updated data released May 14 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Preliminary figures show around 80,000 overdose fatalities in 2024 — a sharp 26.9% drop from the previous year. And the positive news doesn’t stop there: deaths linked to cocaine and other stimulants are also down, with the vast majority of states seeing declines.
Some experts point to broader access to naloxone, the overdose-reversing drug (an over-the-counter version, Narcan, hit shelves in 2023), as a key reason for the decline. Improvements in treatment options and health care access, along with the tapering effects of the pandemic, are also believed to have played a role.
Still, the message from public health leaders is clear: the fight isn’t over. “The recent drop in overdose deaths is extremely welcome news, yet there is still a colossal amount of work to be done,” said Andrew Kessler, founder of Slingshot Solutions, a mental health and substance abuse consulting firm, in an interview with Vox. “Just like with HIV, COVID, or any major public health crisis, we need sustained investment in research, prevention, and proven treatment. That’s the formula — and we have to stick to it.”
