US drug overdose deaths decreased by 4% nationwide between 2022 and 2023, marking the first time overdose deaths declined since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The trend continued into 2024, with a further decline of 17% between July 2023 and July 2024.
The data shows significant decreases in overdose death rates for 20 states, including New Jersey, Michigan, and Louisiana. In contrast, six states saw increases in overdose deaths, while the remaining 24 states and the District of Columbia experienced non-significant changes.
West Virginia had the highest rate of overdose deaths per 100,000 people, with 81.9 fatalities. The states with the lowest rates were Nebraska (9 deaths) and South Dakota (11.2 deaths).
Notably, overdose deaths involving opioids decreased in some states, while those involving psychostimulants like methamphetamine rose. Experts attribute the decline in opioid deaths to public health actions, including making naloxone available over-the-counter and expanding access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder.
Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, says the data is encouraging but emphasizes the need to “double down” on effective strategies to combat evolving threats in the ongoing fight against overdose deaths.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/map-drug-overdose-death-trends-by-state