For the first time in five years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a decline in drug overdose deaths in 2023. The latest data shows a continued decrease from August 2023 to February 2024. Nebraska experienced the largest drop in deaths, followed by Maine, Kansas, and Indiana. However, some states, including Alaska, Nevada, and Oregon, saw increases.
Despite the 3% nationwide decline in 2023, the decrease is modest compared to the significant surges that drove overdose deaths to record levels in previous years. Overdose deaths spiked by 30% between 2019 and 2020 and rose another 15% from 2020 to 2021, according to CDC data. Nearly 107,500 people still lost their lives to illicit drugs in 2023.
“This progress over the last 12 months should reinvigorate our efforts, knowing that our strategies are making a difference,” said CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deb Houry in a statement. However, she cautioned that “families and friends are still losing their loved ones to drug overdoses at staggering numbers.”
While opioid overdose deaths have generally declined, deaths involving stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine have increased. Many of these deaths also involved co-use with opioids. As Emily’s Hope has reported extensively, fentanyl is often laced into other illicit drugs, including heroin, counterfeit prescription pills, and sometimes even marijuana. In 2023, the DEA seized more than 79.5 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and over 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder—equivalent to 376 million lethal doses.
In addition to drug seizures, Houry credits prevention, services, and harm reduction for the decrease. Emily’s Hope works to not only raise awareness about the deadly drug crisis but also has installed a free Narcan dispenser box inside the Jones421 building in downtown Sioux Falls, along with developing a school curriculum aimed at preventing substance use disorder.
Despite these efforts, Dr. Houry warns that overdose deaths remain alarmingly high, and it’s too soon to celebrate. “The data shows we still lost over 100,000 people last year, meaning there are still families and friends losing their loved ones to drug overdoses at staggering numbers,” she said.