US drug overdose death rates declined in 2024
May 28, 2025
Summary: U.S. rates of drug overdose death declined substantially, and employers can continue to play a positive role in decreasing the impact of drug overdoses on the workforce and the community.
Source: National Center for Vital Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 14, 2025
There were over 110,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. each year from 2021 to 2023. Last year the toll from drug overdose deaths decreased substantially, although the death rate remains than prior to the pandemic. Much of the decline is from fewer deaths from synthetic opioids like fentanyl, and there was a modest rise in overdose deaths from stimulants like cocaine and meth.
Many interventions might have helped, but more research is needed to fully explain this decrease in overdose deaths. Health experts think a variety of factors could have contributed. Naloxone, better known by its brand name Narcan, has become more widely available, and lives are saved when overdoses are reversed before emergency medical technicians arrive. Physicians in all states must check a database before prescribing opioids, and physician prescription of opioids is down substantially over the last decade. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to prevent opioid craving became more available through telemedicine, although still not enough of those who have opioid addiction are prescribed MAT. Increased border enforcement has decreased how much fentanyl is available.
Opioid and other drug use remains high in the United States. A study earlier this month in JAMA Health Forum showed that 11% of adult respondents reported illicit opioid use in the previous 12 months. Of those who reported illicit opioid use, almost 10% reported that they believed they were “likely” or “very likely” to overdose.
Implications for employers:
Employers without high deductible health plans can choose to cover naloxone as a preventive medicine with no cost sharing.
Naloxone as part of a workplace first aid kit can save lives. Kits should include at least two doses, and naloxone doses should be replaced as they are used or expire. The workplace should also develop policies, procedures and training to support naloxone administration. Local police and fire departments can assist in on-site trainings.
Employers can design pharmacy plans so that employees have access to all forms of opioid-reversal drugs, including OTC and prescription, to remove any access barriers.
Here is a past post on creating recovery-friendly workplaces.