For the first time in at least five years, drug-related overdose deaths in the United States have declined. According to federal data released yesterday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the decline is small, a mere 3%, from the previous figure of 107,000 people who died of overdose in 2023, but it is just the first glimmer of hope in a drug epidemic that has been gripping the whole country for the last 20 years.
Although overdose deaths are still a major factor, overdose on fentanyl, heroin, and painkillers registered the biggest reduction. Methamphetamine and cocaine increased by 2% and 5%, respectively.
In contrast to the majority of States, which reported positive data, Alaska, Washington, and Oregon–states that have just reinstated criminal penalties for drug possession–saw an increase of at least 27%.
The CDC data did not reveal the cause of the overall decline, but experts attribute this decrease to expanding access to naloxone through Narcan doses and increased arrests of illegal entries at the Mexican border.
States, cities, and community associations came together to avoid overdose deaths by distributing as much as possible Narcan doses. Made of naloxone, they are potentially life saving medicines that can reverse an overdose if given in time. Libraries, bars, community centers now have Narcan in their first aid kit. To solve this epidemic, the San Francisco administration has recommended all residents to carry a Narcan kit in their purses. Yesterday Walgreens announced that they will sell a nasal spray version–less invasive than the one through injection, available for over-the-counter use since September 2023–for $34.99.
In contrast to the spring trend, which usually sees an increase in crossings, in April arrests for illegal entry into the U.S. from Mexico dropped 6%. This is due to an “increased enforcement” and cooperation between the Biden administration and other countries. According to Alicia Barcena, Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mexico does not allow more than 4,000 illegal crossings a day. This strong action implies that fentanyl doses, produced in South America and entering the country through illegal traffic, have been reduced as well.
