WASHINGTON, D.C. — Drug overdose deaths in the United States declined sharply in 2024, falling nearly 27% compared to the previous year, according to provisional data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

An estimated 80,391 overdose deaths occurred nationwide in 2024, down from 110,037 in 2023. The decrease marks the lowest annual total since 2019.

The decline was widespread, with most states reporting reductions in overdose deaths. Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. saw declines of 35% or more. However, South Dakota and Nevada recorded slight increases compared to the same period in 2023.

Deaths involving opioids, particularly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, saw the most significant decrease, dropping from an estimated 83,140 in 2023 to 54,743 in 2024. Overdose deaths linked to cocaine and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine also declined.

• Synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl):

  • 2023: 76,282 deaths

  • 2024: 48,422 deaths

• Psychostimulants (including methamphetamine):

  • 2023: 37,096 deaths

  • 2024: 29,456 deaths

• Cocaine:

  • 2023: 30,833 deaths

  • 2024: 22,174 deaths

• Natural/semi-synthetic opioids (e.g., prescription painkillers):

  • 2023: 10,511 deaths

  • 2024: 8,006 deaths

The data, part of the CDC’s ongoing drug overdose surveillance, are provisional and may change as additional information becomes available. The figures are included in an updated interactive web tool providing national and state-level data, including percentage changes and drug-specific breakdowns.

Puerto Rico is now included in the latest update, though its figures are not reflected in the national totals.

More information is available at CDC’s overdose data site.