Drug overdoses have always been a major concern in the U.S., but new data shows that deaths have dropped significantly.
After years of sounding the alarm through various campaigns, public health officials report that drug overdose deaths have plunged 22%. Between 2023 and 2024, overdose and poisoning deaths fell from 3,137 to 2,438 total. That’s the most significant drop in L.A. County history.
“Fentanyl-related deaths dropped below that of methamphetamine-related deaths,” said Dr. Gary Tsai, Director of L.A. County’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau.
For years, fentanyl had been the major driver of accidental overdoses. Tsai said the breakdown includes a 37% decline in fentanyl deaths and a 20% drop in methamphetamine-related deaths.
One reason for the decline? The widespread accessibility of a drug designed to reverse opioid overdoses…