Fentanyl Deaths Plummet in US: 40% Drop Among Under-35s Signals Hope in Crisis

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2025 – The United States experienced a surprising and positive shift in 2024, with drug overdose deaths among people under 35 dropping by 40%, Preliminary figures from the CDC suggest. The biggest drop was in fentanyl-related deaths, offering hope to families and health experts after years of devastating loss.

Overall, the number of drug overdose deaths nationwide fell by 27% in 2024, reaching around 80,391, the lowest since 2019. Deaths linked to fentanyl, a highly dangerous synthetic opioid, dropped sharply from 76,000 in 2023 to just over 48,000 last year. That’s nearly 28,000 fewer deaths in one year. Among people under 35, fatalities fell from more than 31,000 in 2021 to around 16,690 in 2024. Teen overdose deaths also went down by 40%, breaking a troubling trend from previous years.

Experts believe several key factors contributed to this major improvement. The wider availability of naloxone (Narcan)—a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses—played a big role. Nearly 85% of high-risk drug users in cities like Seattle are now equipped with it. King County in Washington alone distributed over 124,000 naloxone kits. At the same time, telehealth services provided easier access to buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.

Another possible reason is a drop in the strength (purity) of fentanyl found in street drugs. This might be due to law enforcement efforts targeting supply chains in Mexico and China. While the exact reason for the change in drug mixtures remains unclear, weaker doses may have helped prevent fatal overdoses.

Behavior changes among younger people are also part of the story. A study by the University of Michigan found that drug use among high school students decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and hit record lows in 2024. Fewer teens and young adults are starting to use dangerous drugs, which helps lower the risk of overdose.

Still, not all the news is good. Overdose deaths involving methamphetamine and cocaine actually increased. The number of meth-related fatalities climbed to 37,096 in 2024, up from 29,456, with cocaine-related deaths also rising past 30,000. These substances don’t have effective medical treatments like opioids do, making recovery harder. Some groups, especially Black and Native American communities, continue to experience higher overdose rates. Also, a small rise in deaths among youth born between 2005 and 2011—about 300 more over the last two years—has raised concern.

There are also worries about the future. Some experts fear that proposed cuts to federal health programs like Medicaid could undo progress. If public health agencies lose funding, they may be unable to track new and dangerous synthetic drugs. Border policies may also have influenced the decline, with drug seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border down 48% from January to April 2025, though experts disagree on how much that affected drug supply.

Despite these concerns, the current numbers bring hope. Stories like that of Justin Carlyle, a 23-year-old from Philadelphia who survived multiple overdoses because of naloxone, show that recovery is possible. “Many people battling severe addiction survive long enough to recover,” said Brian Mann of NPR, highlighting the importance of continued support.

As the U.S. faces a changing drug landscape, experts agree: investing in treatment, education, and prevention will be crucial to keeping the crisis under control.