In 2024, an estimated 80,391 people died from drug overdoses in the United States. This represents a significant decrease of about 27% compared to 2023, when there were approximately 110,037 overdose deaths. The drop in deaths includes a sharp decline in fatalities involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, which accounted for about 60% of the total overdose deaths in 2024. Other drug-related deaths, such as those involving psychostimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine, also saw reductions in 2024.
For context, in Scotland, there were 1,017 drug misuse deaths registered in 2024, a decrease of 13% compared to 2023. Meanwhile, in the European Union, there were an estimated 7,459 drug overdose deaths in 2023, with data for 2024 not yet reported.
Overall, the data highlights a downward trend in drug-related mortality in 2024, particularly in the U.S. where the numbers are the most comprehensive and current.
