Opioid-related deaths in the U.S. have dropped to their lowest level since 2020, according to new CDC estimates.
The latest data shows opioid overdose deaths have declined for the twelfth consecutive month, offering a hopeful sign in the ongoing battle against the nationwide epidemic.
For the year ending June 2024, CDC reports show approximately 70,655 deaths attributed to opioid overdoses, including drugs like fentanyl and heroin. This represents an 18% drop compared to the same period in 2023.
Most states have seen decreases in opioid-related death rates, with only a few western states, such as Alaska and Nevada, still experiencing high levels of overdose fatalities.
“While these data are cause for optimism, we must not lose sight of the fact that nearly 100,000 people are still estimated to be dying annually from drug overdoses in the U.S.,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, pointing to the ongoing challenges.
Encouragingly, overdose deaths from other drugs—such as methamphetamine and cocaine—are also showing signs of decline following a peak in 2023.
This decline is attributed to several factors, including increased access to life-saving treatments.
Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, noted that the wider availability of naloxone, known as Narcan, and medications that treat opioid use disorder, has contributed to this trend.
Additional efforts in “primary prevention,” or preventing initial drug use, are showing results.
CDC surveys indicate a decline in high school students reporting illegal drug use, which could signal a shift in future generations’ vulnerability to addiction.
Despite these gains, health officials stress that the fight is far from over. Researchers are investigating areas and groups where overdose rates remain high, especially among Native American and Black American men, who continue to suffer from disproportionate death rates.
Some experts suggest changes in the drug supply itself could be a factor.
Nabarun Dasgupta, a senior scientist at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, noted that shifts in drug composition, including substances like xylazine, may be influencing overdose trends.
In the face of this promising yet complex situation, experts urge continued vigilance and caution.
“We’re not in our offices celebrating. We’re still losing too many people that we love,” Dasgupta added, underscoring the ongoing toll of overdose deaths across the country.
As the CDC and other health agencies continue to respond to these shifts, there is reason to hope—while remaining vigilant in combating a crisis that has impacted countless American families.