After four years of climbing overdose deaths (between 2020 and 2023), 2024 showed a significant drop, bringing the number of overdose deaths closely in line with pre-pandemic levels. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) recent National Vital Statistics System reported that there were 106,881 overdose deaths during the 12-month period ending on December 31, 2023, compared to the 80,112 overdose deaths at the end of December 31, 2024. West Virginia, Virginia, New Hampshire, and the District of Columbia experienced the largest decline in these deaths.
CDC has credited widespread distribution of naloxone, improved access to evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders, continued investment in prevention and response programs, resumption of prevention and response after pandemic-related disruptions, and changes in the illegal drug supply as factors that may have contributed to the decline.
See CDC Prevention data here.