U.S. Sees Historic Drop in Overdose Deaths

In a significant development for public health, overdose fatalities in the U.S. decreased by about 14% in 2025 compared to the previous year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 69,973 deaths from overdoses last year, marking a decline of roughly 11,300 deaths from 2024.

Dr. Nora Volkow, head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), expressed optimism over the sustained decline, initially observed in 2023. “This is very good news,” she stated, highlighting the positive trends after initial uncertainty regarding their long-term sustainability.

Experts credit several factors with contributing to the reduced number of fatalities. Increased accessibility and use of medications that alleviate opioid cravings and reverse overdoses, such as naloxone (commonly known as Narcan), played a crucial role. According to Beth Meyerson, a drug policy researcher at the University of Arizona, wider community access to naloxone is establishing it as vital first aid in overdose situations.

The decrease in fatal overdoses commenced in the summer of 2023. Contributing factors included the reduced potency of illicit fentanyl and a decline in drug use among young people. Notably, Alabama, New York, and Virginia experienced significant drops in overdose deaths, with reductions of 25 to 30% by the end of 2025.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized her state’s progress in halving opioid deaths from fentanyl, heroin, and black-market pain pills since 2022. “We will continue focusing on eliminating health disparities and addressing new substances emerging in the illicit drug supply,” she stated.

Despite these improvements, challenges persist. The U.S. still experiences high drug death rates compared to international standards. A 2025 study indicated that Scotland, the country with the second-highest drug death rate, has substantially fewer fatalities per capita.

Compounding concerns, overdose deaths remain elevated in older Americans and many Black and Native American communities. Emerging synthetic drugs made from industrial chemicals present new threats.

States like Arizona, New Mexico, and North Dakota saw sharp increases in overdose deaths in 2025. Beth Meyerson attributes Arizona’s rise to potent fentanyl and methamphetamines, combined with inadequate access to medical care. “Arizona is the gateway for fentanyl into the United States from Mexico,” she noted, highlighting the challenges in rural areas where the travel time for opioid treatment can exceed two hours.

Volkow at NIDA identified the widespread usage of strong methamphetamines in Arizona and New Mexico as a significant issue. She stressed the need for continued efforts to reduce overdose deaths, particularly among Native American populations in remote rural areas.