U.S. Sees First Major Decline in Drug Overdose Deaths in Decades

November 13, 2024

For the first time in decades, U.S. public health data shows a substantial and sustained decline
in drug poisoning deaths, with a roughly 14 percent decrease, according to the CDC—a sharp
reversal from previous years of rising fatalities. Overdose death reports are down in 45 states.
This decline correlates with fewer overdose-related ER visits. Experts speculate that increased
access to treatment, widespread use of overdose-reversal medications, and the pandemic’s end
may have contributed to this decline, although the exact reasons remain unclear.

Read the news article here.

View the data here.