U.S. Sees Record Decline in Drug Overdose Deaths

New data shows a significant drop in fatalities, but experts urge caution as numbers remain high.

The U.S. recorded a 12.7% decrease in drug overdose deaths from May 2023 to May 2024, marking the largest reduction since 2018.
Experts attribute the decline to increased availability of naloxone and shifts in drug use patterns, though the exact causes remain unclear.
Despite the positive trend, drug-related deaths in the U.S. still exceed 94,000 annually, highlighting the ongoing severity of the crisis.
Canada also reported an 8% drop in opioid-related deaths for early 2024, but officials caution against drawing conclusions too soon.
Regional disparities exist, with some U.S. states seeing significant decreases, while others, particularly in the West, report increases.