ATLANTA – The United States saw a historic 27% drop in overdose deaths in 2024, according to new data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 80,391 people died of a drug overdose last year—the sharpest single-year decline on record and the lowest number of deaths reported since the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public health officials attribute the drop, in part, to expanded access to naloxone, the overdose-reversal drug, which became available over the counter nationwide in 2023. Increased access has allowed communities to intervene more quickly in overdose emergencies.
Other factors contributing to the decline include expanded addiction treatment options, changes in drug use behavior, and the impact of opioid settlement funds now reaching communities. Experts also point to a shrinking number of at-risk individuals—after years of high mortality among older adults—and a shift among teens and young adults away from the most lethal substances.
“Despite these overall improvements, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress,” the CDC said in a statement.
While the national trend is encouraging, not all states shared in the progress. South Dakota was one of only two states to see an increase in overdose deaths. The state reported 88 overdose deaths in 2024, a 2% increase from the previous year.
Advocates in South Dakota are working to combat the rise. Emily’s Hope launched a statewide naloxone partnership in April to expand access to the life-saving drug, distributing 20,000 naloxone kits — totaling 40,000 doses — across South Dakota. The organization distributes naloxone kits in high-risk areas through distribution boxes and directly to businesses and other nonprofits.
“Naloxone is the fire extinguisher of the opioid crisis,” said Angela Kennecke, founder of Emily’s Hope. “It should be everywhere—just like AEDs and first aid kits—because lives are at stake. Getting naloxone into every community is not just important; it’s essential if we want to stop the rising tide of overdose deaths in South Dakota and end the fentanyl crisis.”
But some of the very programs credited with driving down overdose deaths—like naloxone distribution and addiction treatment—face uncertainty. The Trump administration has proposed budget cuts that would reduce funding for overdose response initiatives, including support for first responders and treatment services.
