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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its annual report on drug overdose deaths for 2024.
By the numbers: In 2024, there were 79,385 drug overdose deaths, an age-adjusted rate of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 standard population.
- The overdose death rate increased 2014-2022 and then decreased through 2024. The largest decrease occurred 2023-2024 — 26.2%.
- Why it’s important: This was the single largest annual decrease in the included 10-year period for both men and women.
The details: Between 2023 and 2024, the overdose death rate…
- Declined for all age groups. Younger age groups had the largest decreases, with rates declining 37% among those 15-24. Adults 65+ had the smallest rate decrease. In 2023 and 2024, the overdose death rate was highest for adults 35-44 and lowest for those 15-24.
- Declined for each race and Hispanic-origin group. The rate decreased most (30.9%) for Black non-Hispanic people. In both 2023 and 2024, the rate was highest for American Indian/Alaska Native non-Hispanic people and lowest for Asian non-Hispanic people.
- Decreased for each opioid type category. Deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (mostly fentanyl) decreased the most (35.6%). There was a 20.7% decrease in overdose deaths involving natural and semisynthetic opioids (prescription opioids), heroin death rates decreased 33.3%, and methadone overdose death rates decreased by 10%.
- Decreased for overdoses involving stimulants. The death rate decreased 19.8% for overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential (mostly methamphetamine) and 26.7% for those involving cocaine.
Published
February 2026