According to recent analyses of U.S. fentanyl-related overdose data, the deadliest phase of the street fentanyl crisis appears to have ended. Over the last several months, all states have witnessed declines in recorded numbers of overdoses and overdose-linked deaths. In addition, an analysis carried out by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has also determined that the decline in opioid-related deaths started much earlier than once understood, suggesting that the observed improvements may be sustainable.
“This is not a blip. We are on track to return to levels of [fatal] overdose before fentanyl emerged,” said Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta, the lead researcher of the project, which examined overdose data obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “After all this time looking at overdose deaths, this is what we’ve been hoping for,” Dasgupta said. “It has been a complete shock to see the numbers declining in the way they have been.”
Moreover, Dasgupta’s team has also found that deaths linked to fentanyl and other street drugs have already declined in many states to levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an analysis published by National Public Radio (NPR), the declining numbers of fentanyl-related deaths may be due to the increased prevalence of smoking the drug (as opposed to injecting it), as well as more widespread availability of naloxone, the overdose-reversing medication.
However, on March 18, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. renewed the public health emergency declaration addressing the U.S. opioid crisis. According to a press release published on the HSS website, the declaration would allow “sustained federal coordination efforts and preserve key flexibilities that enable HHS to continue leveraging expanded authorities to conduct certain activities in response to the opioid overdose crisis.”
“Although overdose deaths are starting to decline, opioid-involved overdoses remain the leading cause of drug-related fatalities,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “This Administration is going to treat this urgent crisis in American health as the national security emergency that it is. Renewing the Opioid Public Health Emergency Declaration affirms the Administration’s commitment to addressing the opioid overdose crisis and is one of many critical steps we will take to Make America Healthy Again.”
The press release also noted that despite the 25.5% decrease in overdose deaths in the 12 months ending October 2024 compared with the same period in 2023 reported by the CDC, approximately 150 Americans die every day from overdose involving illicit drugs. Moreover, overdose remains the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-44 years.
