"The data released on Wednesday shows that the US saw nearly 70,000 predicted overdose deaths in 2025, down from more than 81,000 in 2024. The downward trend has been welcomed in the US, which has struggled with a devastating overdose crisis fuelled largely by synthetic opioids. Overdose deaths peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 110,000 recorded in 2022, a surge associated with social isolation and obstacles to accessing treatment services."
"Experts have attributed the decline to various factors, such as wider availability of the overdose treatment naloxone, commonly sold under the brand Narcan. Testing strips that can detect fentanyl are also more common now, and regulatory changes in China have limited access to the chemicals used to manufacture the drug. While overdose deaths declined in most US states in 2025, seven states saw increases."
"In Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, overdose deaths increased by 10 percent or more. The administration of President Donald Trump, however, has pointed to the decrease overall as validation of its crackdown on drug trafficking. In a statement earlier this month, the White House said that drug overdoses continue to be one of the country's most urgent public health challenges."
Drug overdose deaths in the United States declined by nearly 14% in 2025, reaching nearly 70,000 predicted deaths compared with more than 81,000 in 2024. The decline continues a third consecutive year of reduction after overdose deaths peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic at about 110,000 in 2022. Experts attribute the downward trend to wider availability of naloxone, increased use of fentanyl testing strips, and regulatory changes in China that limited access to chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl. Most states saw decreases in 2025, but seven states experienced increases, including Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico with rises of 10% or more. The federal government linked the overall drop to efforts targeting drug trafficking.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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