Overdose Deaths Are Declining, but Gaps Remain
Overdose deaths have declined across much of the United States, offering hope after years of rising numbers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths fell by nearly 14 percent from 2024 to 2025.
The national trend is encouraging, but it does not tell the whole story. The decline has been uneven, so understanding who remains at greatest risk helps as we look ahead. Studies show that overdose deaths remain higher for groups such as older adults and Native and Black communities.
The National Trend Is Moving in the Right Direction
A recent study showed that the national overdose death rate peaked in August 2023 before falling by about 27% through October 2024. The decline continued for 15 straight months, with opioid-related overdose deaths falling faster than stimulant-related deaths. Federal estimates show that the decline continued through 2025.
It is important to note that no single factor explains the decline, and overdose deaths remain higher than they were a decade ago. But research suggests several factors may be working together to help lower occurrences of overdoses:
Illicit fentanyl’s spread may be leveling off – fewer people may be newly exposed, thus reducing the number of individuals at risk. However, fentanyl itself remains highly dangerous.
Fewer people appear to be using opioids than in previous years.
Implementation of evidence-based treatment and prevention programs, community partnerships, and education initiatives appear to be making a difference.
Wider access to naloxone – a drug used to reverse opioid overdose, often involving fentanyl – may be preventing more overdose-related deaths.
Not Everyone Is Experiencing the Same Progress
The national decline in overdose deaths is encouraging, but looking at groups who have not yet benefited from progress is important. As of 2023, research indicates that the following groups were still experiencing rising overdose death rates in 2023:
Adults aged 55 and older
Black people
American Indian or Alaska Native people
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander people
Hispanic or Latino people
Multiracial people
More recent reporting shows that older adults and many African American and Native communities continue to experience a high overdose burden.
What Does Data Look Like for California and Sacramento County?
According to the California Department of Public Health, California reached an all-time high in drug-related overdose deaths for adults in 2023. Today, drug-related overdose remains the leading cause of death for adults who are 25-54. The state recorded a rate of 29.4 deaths per 100,000 people that year. In 2024, the rate fell to 23.2 per 100,000, a 21% decrease. But more than 9,000 Californians still died from drug-related overdoses in 2024. Notably, Sacramento County saw a nearly 38% decline in fentanyl-related deaths between 2023 and 2025 – dropping from 406 to 253, according to the Sacramento County Coroner. 2026 numbers look promising as well. As of September 1, overdose deaths are 47% lower than they were at the same point last year, falling from 186 deaths by the end of August 2025 to 98 deaths this year.
While the decrease in overdose deaths is encouraging, we know that families and communities continue to suffer devastating loss. Sustained attention and efforts to focus on the communities that continue to face a greater burden than others are critical. Reaching those groups with timely treatment, education, and support will be an important part of continuing the downward trend.
How Sacramento County Is Working to Prevent Overdose
State guidance emphasizes partnerships between state agencies and community partners, and Sacramento County has embraced this approach. The County is addressing overdose through prevention, treatment, community partnerships, and public education. Through Sacramento County Behavioral Health Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Services (SUPT), residents can access withdrawal management, residential and outpatient treatment, recovery services, case management, perinatal treatment, and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD)
Local data help Sacramento County track suspected overdoses and naloxone distribution so local leaders can respond more quickly to changing trends. Education efforts such as Safer Sacramento help residents learn about specific substances such as meth and fentanyl, risks of polysubstance use, how to recognize and respond to overdose, and where to find treatment and support. The County also works with the Sacramento County Opioid Coalition, which provides free naloxone, overdose response training, substance use education, and connections to local treatment and recovery resources.
Through these programs and partnerships, Sacramento County is working not only to prevent fatal overdoses, but also to make it easier for people and families to find practical information, lifesaving tools, treatment, and recovery support when they need it. The California Department of Public Health is also working to improve overdose prevention through better data, expanded naloxone access, stronger treatment connections, education, and harm reduction services.
Where Can I Get Help in Sacramento?
You are not alone. Overdose is preventable, and Sacramento has a number of resources to help. Call us at 916.875.1055 or visit https://dhs.saccounty.gov/BHS/Pages/BHS-Home.aspx. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 right away.
