The United States experienced a dramatic drop in drug overdose deaths last year, the lowest level since 2019, or before the pandemic. That’s according to recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The figures reveal that overdose deaths dropped by nearly 30,000 nationwide, a decline of about 27% in 2024.
Federal grants are largely credited with helping bring down opioid deaths by making overdose-reversal drugs like Narcan more widely available. As the Gulf States Newsroom reports, Louisiana gets more than $4.6 million dollars in these grants. But the Trump administration is delaying some of that funding for what’s known as the Overdose Data To Action (OD2A) program.
CDC staffers recently told NPR, in its July 16 story, that the Trump administration may cancel or delay up to $140 million in grants. Then, officials said the money would be disbursed in stages. But state leaders say even a delay could disrupt programs. “We know we're about to go back into a storm. That may not have any end in sight,” explained Dr. David Hicks, the health officer in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Dr. Hicks says the funding can’t be replaced. And it’s been working. They’ve seen fewer people dying from overdoses. “And that would not happen if it wasn't for the funding.” Recent data suggests the overdose death rate may be rising again. And they could continue to rise — without medication to reverse overdoses.”
