Drug overdose deaths drop in United States for third year in a row

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released data showing a decline in deaths from drug overdoses. Deaths fell by nearly 14 percent in 2025, a third consecutive year of decline, with nearly 70,000 predicted overdose deaths compared to more than 81,000 in 2024. The downward trend is attributed to factors such as wider availability of naloxone, testing strips, and regulatory changes in China limiting access to fentanyl chemicals. However, seven US states saw increases in overdose deaths, including Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.