Prevention Works: New Data, New Tools & Impact

[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Overdose Prevention Is Making a Difference — See the Latest Data

Prevention Works: New Data, New Tools & Impact

New Data & Dashboard Updates

2024 Final Overdose Death Data Released Nearly 70 fewer lives lost each day compared to 2023. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) recently released the final National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) 2024 mortality data. This data show encouraging progress in reducing drug overdose deaths.

Overall Trends In 2024, there were 79,384 overdose deaths in the United States—about 217 deaths per day. That’s a 24% decrease in the number of deaths compared to 2023—nearly 70 fewer deaths each day. Progress Across All Groups Overdose death rates went down for men and women, across all age groups, and among all racial and ethnic groups. The largest declines were seen among young people ages 15–24 and among non-Hispanic Black individuals. Men and adults ages 35–44 continue to have the highest numbers and rates of overdose deaths. Sharp Declines in Opioid Deaths Opioids were still involved in most overdose deaths, but opioid-related deaths dropped sharply—especially those involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Deaths involving cocaine and methamphetamine also decreased compared to 2023. Looking Ahead While there is still important work ahead, these meaningful declines show that prevention, treatment, and harm reduction efforts are making a difference and saving lives.

SUDORS Dashboard Updated with 2025 Preliminary Data CDC has released a data update to the SUDORS Dashboard, now featuring preliminary data on drug overdose deaths that occurred from January-June 2025. With this new preliminary data now available, previously posted preliminary data has been removed. New user accessibility enhancements to the dashboard will be forthcoming later this year. The SUDORS Dashboard continues to serve as an essential tool for supporting evidence-based overdose prevention initiatives and enhancing shared accountability across jurisdictions.

New 2024 U.S. Dispensing Data Available National dispensing rates continue to decline. New 2024 United States Dispensing Data from retail pharmacies is available. The overall national opioid dispensing rate declined steadily from a rate of 46.8 opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons in 2019 to a rate of 35.4 opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons in 2024.  Also updated for 2024: Opioid Dispensing Rate Maps Naloxone Dispensing Rate Maps Buprenorphine Dispensing Rate Maps

Prevention in Action

OD2A in Action: Success Stories from Alabama & Dallas County How local health departments are turning data into impact. Funding America’s health departments is an essential part of CDC’s work to save lives from drug overdose. CDC-funded Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) programs continue strengthening state and local prevention efforts nationwide to prevent drug overdoses and related consequences. Read our newest OD2A stories from the field in Alabama and Dallas County, Texas.

New Tools & Resources

Free Continuing Pharmacy Education Now Available Earn CPE credits through CDC's overdose prevention trainings. CDC’s comprehensive suite of overdose prevention clinician trainings now offers an opportunity to earn Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) credits expanding professional development options for pharmacists and pharmacy teams.

Spring Break Toolkit: Start the Conversation Resources to help parents talk with teens about substance use and mental health Spring break is a helpful time to encourage parents and caregivers to talk to teens about substance use and mental health.  Our new Spring Break Toolkit includes ready-to-share social media content, public service announcements, and conversation tools from CDC’s Free Mind campaign to help parents and caregivers start open, empathetic conversations with their teens.

Now Available in Spanish: Overdose Prevention Website Broader access. Greater reach. Stronger impact. CDC’s Overdose Prevention website is now available in Spanish, expanding access to life-saving information and marking the completion of a major modernization effort across nearly 600 webpages.

Visit us at: www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention

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