Home / Health / US Drug Deaths Drop 14%, Fentanyl Crisis Eases
US Drug Deaths Drop 14%, Fentanyl Crisis Eases
13 May
Summary
- Drug overdose deaths decreased by nearly 14% in 2025.
- Fentanyl remains a leading cause, but deaths are declining.
- Most states saw fewer overdose deaths, but some saw increases.
Overdose deaths in the United States saw a significant decrease of nearly 14% in 2025, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 69,973 drug overdose fatalities were recorded, a notable drop from the 81,313 deaths estimated in 2024. The crisis had peaked in 2023 and 2022 with nearly 110,000 annual fatalities.
Synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, continue to be a primary driver of overdose deaths, though their numbers are trending downward. Psychostimulants such as methamphetamine were the second leading cause, followed by cocaine. This positive trend was observed across most states, with Rhode Island, New York, North Carolina, Alabama, and Vermont reporting declines of 25% or more.
However, a few states experienced an increase in overdose deaths. New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado reported rises of 10% or more compared to the previous year. The data is provisional, meaning it is subject to change as more information becomes available.
