Background on the Opioid Crisis in the U.S.
The opioid crisis in the United States dates back to the 1990s when pharmaceutical companies aggressively marketed prescription painkillers. Over the past two decades, more than one million Americans have died from drug overdoses.
Fentanyl’s Role in the Current Crisis
A significant factor in the ongoing crisis is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. The U.S. government accuses Mexican drug cartels of illegally manufacturing fentanyl using substances sourced from China.
Often, fentanyl is mixed with other illicit drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
Decline in Overdose Deaths
In 2024, there were 80,391 overdose deaths in the U.S., the lowest number in five years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- This represents a 27% decrease from the 110,035 deaths recorded in the previous year.
- Fentanyl-related deaths dropped from approximately 76,000 in 2023 to 48,422 in 2024.
Only two states, South Dakota and Nevada, reported increases in overdose deaths.
Policy Impact on Overdose Deaths
The decline in overdose deaths occurred during the tenure of former President Joe Biden, whose administration expanded access to addiction treatments and relied on naloxone—a medication that reverses opioid effects—as the cornerstone of its national drug policy.
However, the administration of President Donald Trump, who returned to power in January, claims credit for the success.
“Since President Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in 2017, at the start of his first term, congressional support has enabled the expansion of critical data systems and strengthened overdose prevention capabilities across all states,” according to the CDC.
Despite these improvements, overdose remains the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 44, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to maintain this progress.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current state of overdose deaths in the U.S.? Overdose deaths have dropped to 80,391 in 2024, the lowest in five years.
- What role does fentanyl play in these deaths? Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is often mixed with other illicit drugs and is responsible for many overdose deaths.
- Which states saw an increase in overdose deaths? Only South Dakota and Nevada reported increases.
- Who is credited with the decline in overdose deaths? Both the Biden and Trump administrations claim responsibility, with each highlighting different policy initiatives.
- Why do overdoses remain a significant issue? Although there has been progress, overdose deaths are still the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 44.
