The number of overdose deaths in the United States has started to decline for the first time in five years.
Provisional data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reveal a noteworthy development in the battle against drug overdose deaths in the United States. For the first time since 2018, there was a decrease in overdose deaths, with an estimated 107,543 reported in 2023. This represents a 3% decline from the 111,029 deaths recorded in 2022.
For counties, this trend is particularly relevant as the state has been grappling with its own severe opioid crisis. Maryland has seen significant effects from both opioid and stimulant overdoses, and local jurisdictions have been at the forefront of implementing both harm reduction and law enforcement strategies. As previously reported by MACo, Maryland has emphasized the importance of a targeted approach in continuing this downward trend by launching the Maryland Overdose Data Dashboard. This tool provides timely, comprehensive data to inform decision-making and ensure effective resource allocation.
To further combat this crisis, the federal government recently issued a National Security Memorandum that will direct every federal department and agency to intensify their efforts in stopping the flow of narcotics into the U.S. This new directive is designed to build on previous efforts, all prioritized on ending the opioid epidemic.
