USA. Fact Sheet: What’s Reducing Overdose Deaths? Public Health Interventions Play a Critical Role.
USA. Fact Sheet: What’s Reducing Overdose Deaths? Public Health Interventions Play a Critical Role.
After more than 20 years of the overdose crisis claiming the lives of our parents, siblings, friends and loved ones, we are finally seeing a decrease in overdose deaths. Overdose deaths have decreased 27% from 2023-2024 due to:
expanded access to naloxone (which reverses opioid overdoses)
medications to treat addiction—like methadone and buprenorphine—that reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and overdose risk
drug checking tools such as fentanyl test strips
changing trends in the drug supply and use of fentanyl and other opioids
These declines started during the Biden Administration and have continued since. While public health interventions played a critical role, diplomatic coordination with China also had some effect. Unfortunately, this progress may be threatened by massive federal funding cuts to addiction and overdose prevention services. When funding shifts away from public health solutions, the consequences are tangible: treatment services are scaled back, healthcare costs rise, and waitlists for care grow longer. (DAP – Drug Policy Alliance, USA, 24.02.2026)
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