Nationwide, opioid overdose deaths declined by 10% in the second half of 2023 compared to the second half of 2022. Provisional data from the CDC shows this trend continuing into 2024.
Year-over-year, opioid overdose deaths declined in three-quarters of states, with North Carolina recording a 41% decline from the second half of 2022 to 2023.
In a few states, opioid death rates increased. In Alaska, the number of opioid overdose deaths increased by 58% year-over-year.
Here are the states with the largest declines and increases in opioid-related deaths in the second half of 2023:
Largest declines:
- North Carolina: -41%
- Kansas: -30%
- Maine: -29%
- Indiana: -23%
- Pennsylvania: -20%
- Ohio: – 20%
- Louisiana: -20%
- Connecticut: -19%
- Arkansas: -19%
- Missouri: -17%
Largest increases:
- Alaska: 58%
- Oregon: 36%
- Nevada: 35%
- Washington: 22%
- Iowa: 17%
- Utah: 12%
- Montana: 9%
- Colorado: 7%
- Rhode Island: 7%
- Alaska: 1%
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