U.S. Sees Dramatic Drop in Drug Deaths Amid Growing Funding Fears

For the first time in half a decade, drug overdose deaths in the United States saw a significant decline—falling to their lowest point since before the pandemic. But experts say this rare moment of progress may not last if federal support begins to unravel.

According to new CDC estimates, roughly 80,400 people died from drug overdoses in 2024, down from over 110,000 the year before—a 27% drop. Deaths linked to synthetic opioids like fentanyl fell even more steeply, dropping 37%. Cocaine and meth-related fatalities also declined...