Provisional CDC data shows that U.S. overdose deaths fell through most of last year.

The details: The new data runs through August 2025 and represents the first update of monthly provisional overdose deaths since the government shutdown in October.

The findings:

An estimated 73,000 people died from overdoses in the 12-month period ending August 2025, down 21% from the 92,000 in the previous 12-month period.
That includes an estimated 47,000 overdose deaths involving opioids (over 45,000 of which involved fentanyl), nearly 28,000 involving psychostimulants with abuse potential (methamphetamine), and nearly 20,000 involving cocaine.
Deaths were down in all states except Arizona, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, and North Dakota.

Why it’s important: Overdose deaths have been falling for more than two years, the longest drop in decades.

But: The decline is slowing, and the monthly death toll is still not back to what it was before COVID.