The estimated number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. have been dropping for months and are now at their lowest levels in three years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Deaths from overdoses dropped for the first time in five years in 2023, following a steady rise during the pandemic. However, the current number of overdose deaths still remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.
In April 2024, the latest month with data, the estimated number of deaths in the past 12 months was 101,168, according to the CDC. The last month with figures that low was in May of 2021, with 100,997 deaths.
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Data from other sources, such as emergency department visits and calls to EMS, support the downward trend, according to an analysis led by Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta, a senior scientist at the Injury Prevention Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He tells ABC News that the data may point to 20,000 fewer deaths annually, or more.
While experts continue to explore possible reasons driving the decline, there are a few public health initiatives to curb drug overdoses that may be showing signs of success.
“Enhanced access to naloxone, expanded treatment programs for opioid use disorder, and increased public awareness about the dangers of synthetic opioids like fentanyl are likely playing significant roles in saving lives,” said Dr. John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and an ABC News medical contributor.
Another potential explanation for the downturn, Dasgupta says, may be related to changes in the drug supply, such as more people using xylazine, a dangerous, non-opioid animal sedative that’s often mixed with other illicit drugs, including fentanyl.
“Xylazine makes people use less fentanyl, is the bottom line,” Dasgupta told ABC News, while citing research that showed that those who overdosed and tested positive for xylazine had less severe health outcomes than those who did not have xylazine in their system. This could be due to the fact that those who used illicit substances, like fentanyl, mixed with xylazine may be using those substances less often, Dasgupta said.
In this April 23, 2024, file photo, an exhibitor shows attendees a rapid fentanyl detection test during the Multilateral Conference on Synthetic Drugs in Mexico City.
Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
“We’re seeing this pattern kind of happening that looks a lot like a change in the drug supply, more so than just explained by all the interventions in the public health space,” Dasgupta added. “It’s probably a mix of all these things at the end of the day, but something really changed in the third quarter of last year.”
Within each state, however, the decline in overdose deaths is not uniform among all people. Maryland, for example, experienced a decline in deaths among white populations, yet an increase among Black populations, Dasgupta points out.
Changes in drug overdose deaths also vary greatly by state, with some still experiencing increases in the past 12 months, CDC data shows. States with the greatest dips in overdose deaths over the past year, according to the same data, were Nebraska, North Carolina, Vermont, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, in that descending order.
In this Jan. 25, 2024, file photo, a used Narcan brand Naloxone nasal spray rests on the street after paramedics and police responded to a suspected fentanyl drug overdose in Portland, Oregon.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
While the national downward trend may continue, experts told ABC News it may not be permanent.
“We’ve seen dips that have been erased a year later. So, I’m cautious. I feel like things really haven’t cooled down yet,” Dasgupta said. “It feels like we’ve put the lid on the pot, but we’re still at a rolling boil. There’s still a lot of people dying of overdose.”
“It’s crucial that we continue to intensify our efforts to address the root causes of the opioid epidemic,” Brownstein said. “We need to continue investing in comprehensive strategies that address the complex factors driving the opioid crisis.”
Jake Goodman, MD, MBA is a psychiatry resident physician and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.
According to recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overdose deaths in the United States have decreased to their lowest level in three years. This is a promising development in the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic that has ravaged communities across the country.
The data shows that overdose deaths decreased by 4.1% in 2020 compared to the previous year, marking the first decline in overdose deaths since 2012. This is a significant milestone in the fight against opioid addiction and highlights the impact of various initiatives and interventions aimed at addressing the crisis.
One of the key factors contributing to the decrease in overdose deaths is the increased availability and use of naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone has become more widely available in recent years, with many states implementing programs to distribute the medication to first responders, healthcare providers, and community members. This increased access to naloxone has undoubtedly saved countless lives and helped prevent overdose deaths.
Another factor that may have contributed to the decrease in overdose deaths is the expansion of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. MAT combines medication, such as methadone or buprenorphine, with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opioid addiction. These programs have been shown to be highly effective in reducing opioid use and preventing overdose deaths.
Additionally, increased awareness and education about the dangers of opioid misuse and addiction may have played a role in the decline in overdose deaths. Public health campaigns, community outreach efforts, and educational programs have helped raise awareness about the risks associated with opioid use and have encouraged individuals to seek help for substance use disorders.
While the decrease in overdose deaths is certainly a positive development, it is important to note that the opioid epidemic is far from over. There are still millions of Americans struggling with opioid addiction, and access to treatment and support services remains a critical issue. Continued efforts to expand access to naloxone, MAT, and other evidence-based treatments are essential to further reducing overdose deaths and addressing the underlying causes of the opioid crisis.
In conclusion, the recent data showing a decrease in overdose deaths to their lowest level in three years is a hopeful sign that progress is being made in the fight against opioid addiction. However, it is clear that more work needs to be done to support individuals struggling with substance use disorders and prevent future overdose deaths. By continuing to prioritize prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts, we can build on this positive momentum and work towards a future where overdose deaths are a thing of the past.
